SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Small Businesses (Fraud)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Solicitor-General what further steps he plans to take to protect small businesses from fraudulent schemes.

Mike O'Brien: The Government are taking considerable steps to assist small company fraud. Fraud is an issue for SME's as more of them do business through the Internet. A new one-stop-shop website for up-to-date information about online safety has recently been launched.
	Get Safe Online www. getsafeonline.org aims to give home users and small businesses the advice they need to use the Internet safety. The campaign is a joint initiative between HM Government, the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit, and private sector sponsors from the worlds of technology, retail and finance.

Human Trafficking

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Solicitor-General what additional steps the Law Officers will take to tackle human trafficking for prostitution;

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Solicitor-General what the Crown Prosecution Service's policy is on prosecuting men who use prostitutes who have been trafficked from other countries.

Mike O'Brien: The Law Officers regard tackling human trafficking, for both sexual and non-sexual exploitation, as a priority. I am a member of the ministerial group on human trafficking and am working jointly with Home Office Ministers to tackle human trafficking including for prostitution, by co-chairing a Joint Ministerial NGO Stakeholder /Consultative Group on Human Trafficking on the issue. This will seek to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal justice policy and will be informed by the public consultation document on proposals for a UK action plan, launched last week.
	In cases involving allegations of a sexual offence, assuming the evidential test is satisfied, prosecution policy makes it clear that the public interest will strongly favour a prosecution. This applies equally to cases where the victim has been trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Fraud Trials

John Robertson: To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment his Department has made of the need for effective trial management in complex fraud trials.

Mike O'Brien: The need for effective judicial trial management of complex trials, especially large fraud trials, was recognised in the Lord Chief Justice's Protocol for the Control and Management of Heavy Fraud and Other Complex Criminal Cases and Practice Direction issued on 14 March 2005. I welcome the Criminal Procedure Rules 2005 but they will not be sufficient of themselves to resolve all the issues of trial management in the most serious cases which is why we are seeking non jury trials in a few cases each year.

Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 1W, on corruption, whether the Serious Fraud Office has commenced an investigation into the allegation of corruption involving a Department of Trade and Industry employee.

Mike O'Brien: I am informed that the Serious Fraud Office has not commenced an investigation into any allegation of corruption involving a Department of Trade and Industry employee.

Serious Fraud Office

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 731W, on the Serious Fraud Office, if he will place in the Library the paper commissioned by the Attorney General from the Serious Fraud Office on the policy and legislative changes they thought would assist them in the investigation and prosecution of overseas corruption offences.

Mike O'Brien: Further to my answer of 1 December 2005 a consultation paper was issued on 8 December 2005 by the Home Office entitled Reform of the Prevention of Corruption Acts and SFO Powers in cases of bribery of foreign officials". This reflects submissions made to me by the Director of the Serious Fraud Office. A copy of the consultation document can be found at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/2005-cons-bribery?version=1

PRIME MINISTER

Day in the Life"

Michael Penning: To ask the Prime Minister what costs were incurred at public expense in the production of the film Day in the Life".

Tony Blair: The production of the film Day in the Life" cost £900.
	So far nearly 55,000 people have downloaded the film via the Downing street website. The film was also available to download on the Sky and BBC News websites.

Administration Costs

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Prime Minister what the total administration costs were for his Office in the last year; and whether these are regarded as identifiable or non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Jim Murphy) to reply.

Al-Jazeera (Bombing)

Adam Price: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Government holds information which records President Bush's discussions with him about the bombing of the al-Jazeera television station in Qatar.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 23W.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the annual expenditure on (a) fixtures and fittings, (b) general office expenses and (c) office equipment of his Office was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.
	(2)  what the expenditure on (a) buildings and (b) insurance of buildings and staff was of his Office in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Jim Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office spent on bottled water in 2004–05.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Jim Murphy) on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 200W.

Departmental Jobs

Michael Weir: To ask the Prime Minister how many jobs are located in his office in London.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson) on 10 October 2005, Official Report, columns 163–64W.

Energy Issues (Russia)

Graham Brady: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions in the last five years when he has discussed energy issues with President Putin of Russia.

Tony Blair: I regularly discuss a wide range of issues with President Putin, including energy.

European Council

John Redwood: To ask the Prime Minister who represented the UK at the recent European Council when he was chairing the Council.

Tony Blair: As is always the case, the country holding the Presidency represent themselves at the European Council.

Joint Intelligence Committee

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister what investigations are being made into the source of leaks of the report of the Joint Intelligence Committee written prior to 7 July 2005 that al-Qaeda was planning a high priority attack on the underground; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: In order to safeguard security and investigative arrangements, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the conduct and outcome of leak inquiries.

Lords Lieutenants

Chris Ruane: To ask the Prime Minister what the name is of each person who has been appointed to a post of Lord Lieutenant of the County in each of the last 30 years; and in respect of which county each was appointed.

Tony Blair: This information requested is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.

Office Equipment

Michael Weir: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) personal computers, (b) laptops, (c) servers, (d) printers, (e) scanners, (f) photocopiers and (g) fax machines his Office owned in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Jim Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Rendition Flights

Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister whether (a) he and (b) his officials have requested details from the US Administration of (i) the specific purpose of each rendition flight given landing rights at any airport in the United Kingdom and (ii) the destination of each such flight.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 1652–53W.
	I also refer my hon. Friend to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 5WS.

UK Overseas Territories

Michael Weir: To ask the Prime Minister what powers of intervention his Government have over the domesticmonetary and fiscal policies of (a) Guernsey, (b) Jersey, (c) the Isle of Man, (d) the Falkland Islands, (e) Gibraltar, (f) Saint Helena, (g) Anguilla, (h) Montserrat, (i) Bermuda, (j) the British Virgin Islands, (k) Turks and Caicos Islands and (l) the Cayman Islands.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 10 January 2006 [ 39216 ].

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Tenants

Kate Hoey: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners whether compensation has been offered by the Commissioners to tenants of the Commissioners' properties at (a) Mitre street, (b) Ufford street and (c) Webber street in relation to the outcomes of renovation; and if the Commissioners will disclose all relevant documents relating to these properties to the tenants.

Stuart Bell: The Commissioners have given tenants on an ex-gratia basis one week's rent rebate. In view of the threat of litigation by some tenants it is not appropriate for the Commissioners to comment further.

Tenants

Kate Hoey: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what safeguards are employed by the Commissioners to ensure that personal information on Church Commissioners' tenants is not passed to third parties; what measures are in place to provide redress when such information is passed on; and what disciplinary measures are in place relating to staff misuse of tenants' personal information.

Stuart Bell: The Commissioners seek to follow best practice regarding the maintenance and use of tenants' personal information, including the sharing of information with third parties where properly necessary. Some such information may be properly shared with professional advisers and managing agents.
	Any alleged instances of the improper sharing of tenants' personal information may be reported to the Commissioners' Chief Surveyor. The matter will then be investigated.
	All staff of the National Church Institutions are expected to observe standards of conduct and are subject to a formal disciplinary procedure where they fail to do so.

WALES

Departmental Expenditure

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total administrative costs of his core Department were in the last period for which figures are available; and whether these are regarded as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2277W.

Departmental Websites

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what websites come under his Department's responsibility; and what the (a) cost and (b) number of visitors to those sites was in the last year for which figures are available.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has responsibility for www.walesoffice.gov.uk and its parallel Welsh language site www.swyddfa.cymru.gov.uk
	The cost of running both sites was £5,875 in 2005, with an additional £58.75 charged to renew the domain names.
	The English language site received 568,201 page requests last year, while the Welsh language site received 92,432.

Gwydyr House (Disabled Access)

Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that the access for disabled people to Gwydyr House is always in working order; and for what reasons it was not working on the evening of 14 December.

Peter Hain: Unfortunately due to problems with misuse the gate to the Disabled Access ramp for Gwydyr House is kept locked.
	Due to a problem with the process for obtaining the key on the evening of 14 December the gate could not be opened. This was later rectified and the ramp was available later that evening for people leaving the building.
	There have been new instructions issued to all relevant personnel to prevent this from happening again.

National Assembly

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what dates and for how long he has (a) attended sessions of the National Assembly, (b) spoken at sessions of the National Assembly and (c) met the National Assembly to discuss the Government's legislative programme.

Peter Hain: As soon as is reasonably practicable after the beginning of each session of Parliament, I participate in a session of the National Assembly to discuss the Government's legislative programme.
	Thus, I attended sessions of the Assembly on the following dates:
	26 November 2002
	10 December 2002
	3 December 2003
	11 December 2004
	21 June 2005

RAF St. Athan

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funding has been (a) allocated and (b) spent by the Welsh Development Agency to support RAF St Athan.

Nick Ainger: RAF St. Athan was acquired by the WDA in 2003 for redevelopment. To date £15.9 million has been spent on land acquisition and other development costs. There is no future allocation for the project as budget allocation for capital projects undertaken by the WDA is agreed on an annual basis as part of the normal business planning process.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Claims Handlers

John Mann: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of Government Departments accepting industrial injury and disease compensation claims directly from claims handlers.

Bridget Prentice: None. It is primarily for the relevant Government Departments, in consultation as necessary with Treasury Solicitors and other Government Departments, to decide what arrangements they make to handle compensation claims whether brought on behalf of the injured party by a claims handling company, a solicitor or any other intermediary. The Government are introducing legislation in the Compensation Bill (HL) introduced on 2 November 2005 that will enable the statutory regulation of claims handling companies.

Legal Advice Direct

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of webcam technology as part of the online Legal Advice Direct project.

Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission is currently in contract negotiations with the firm responsible for Legal Advice Direct. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment on their services at this stage as this could compromise impartiality during the tender process. In general I am keen to embrace and work with new technology in ensuring that services are delivered using methods that best meet client need while demonstrating cost-effectiveness.

Legal Aid

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps her Department is planning to encourage law students to choose careers involving legal aid work.

Bridget Prentice: Supporting the development of the next generation of legal aid lawyers is a high priority for the Department and the Legal Services Commission (LSC).
	The LSC has committed £10 million over three years in a training support grants scheme for students and trainee solicitors. To date nearly 400 grants have been awarded to 338 solicitors' firms and 49 not-for-profit organisations.
	The LSC worked with the College of Law and the Law Society to develop a Legal Practice Course with a specialist option (or 'elective') in legal aid work.
	The LSC promotes legal aid work to students and young lawyers as a career of choice in a range of ways: for example, exhibiting at the Graduate Law Fair, arranging work shadowing, and sponsoring the Young Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year award and the Young Solicitors' Group legal aid conference.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Parental Leave

Michael Connarty: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps are being taken to provide for equal parental leave rights to both parents in the second six months of their child's life.

Meg Munn: The Work and Families Bill includes provisions that will allow fathers to take time off in the second six months of their child's life. The first six months of maternity leave will be reserved for the mother, in the second six months the fathers will be able to take up to six months additional paternity leave (APL) if the mother has returned to work.

Pregnancy and Maternity (Equality and  Employment Law)

Michael Connarty: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps are being taken by the Government (a) to harmonise, (b) to consolidate and (c) to simplify (i) equality and (ii) employment law relating to pregnancy and maternity.

Meg Munn: The Discrimination Law Review, led by the Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry, is examining the current framework of anti-discrimination legislation, by developing proposals for a more modern, coherent and effective legal framework for tackling discrimination across all equality strands. This includes discrimination in employment on grounds of pregnancy and maternity.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what size of culling area the Department is considering for the control of bovine TB; and what percentage of badgers would have to be despatched in those areas in order for the policy to be effective;
	(2)  what restrictions there will be on areas chosen for badger culling to control bovine TB; and whether restrictions will apply to locations where active study of the badger population is under way.

Ben Bradshaw: We are currently consulting both on the principle of culling badgers to control bovine tuberculosis (TB), and on how a badger cull might operate. Options are set out in the consultation document Controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in high incidence areas in England: Badger Culling". These include possible culling areas ranging from 1 km to 3 km from an eligible farm's boundary to areas of 100 km 2 or more. Until the consultation is complete no decisions on culling badgers or the detail of how an effective cull would operate can be made.
	In deciding whether to introduce a badger culling policy we will take account of scientific evidence, the effectiveness of culling as a way of reducing bovine TB in cattle, and whether this is cost-effective. We will also consider what is practical and sustainable. Copies of the consultation document are available in the House Library or on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/badgers-tbcontrols/index.htm
	The deadline for responses is 10 March 2006.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional powers the Department requires to enforce a cull of badgers in locations where the landowner does not agree to the policy.

Ben Bradshaw: We are currently consulting both on the principle of culling badgers to control bovine tuberculosis, and on how a badger cull could operate. If we do decide to introduce such a policy, the consent of landowners would be needed for culling to take place on their land.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the carbon dioxide emissions of (a) China, (b) India, (c) the US and (d) the UK were as most recently reported for the purposes of the Kyoto and Montreal agreements; and what projections have been made for that purpose for (i)2020 and (ii) 2050 in each case.

Elliot Morley: The following table shows historical and projected carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in million tonnes of CO 2 (MtCO 2 ) for China, India, the USA and the UK.
	Emissions estimates are submitted under the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC) which is the parent treaty for Kyoto protocol and the Montreal decisions, and also covers the US which has not ratified the protocol.
	The USA and UK are annexe 1 parties to the UNFCCC, and submit emissions inventories annually; the most recent year for which data are available is 2003. China and India are non-annexe 1 parties to the UNFCCC; the most recent data they have submitted is for 1994. The table also provides US and UK CO 2 emissions for 1994 from UNFCCC submissions for comparison. The data in the table cover all sectors including land-use, land-use change and forestry as reported by the country. The UK's data have been updated for consistency with the information provided in June 2005 to the European Union.
	The USA and UK have submitted projections to the UNFCCC for CO 2 emissions in 2020, but China and India have not. Projections to 2050 are not available for any of the countries, although the UK policy, as set out in the 2003 Energy White Paper, is to put ourselves on a path to a reduction of some 60 per cent. by 2050.
	
		
			  CO 2  emissions (MtCO 2 ) 
			 Country 1994 2003 2020 
		
		
			 China 2,666.0 n/a n/a 
			 India 793.5 n/a n/a 
			 US 4,327.8 5,013.5 6,763.0 
			 UK 559.8 555.9 524.7 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	The International Energy Agency provides estimates of projected emissions from use of fossil fuels which indicate, for China and India respectively, increases of about 210 per cent. and about 240 per cent. over the period 1994 to 2020. Fossil fuels account for the majority of CO 2 emissions but do not include land-use, land-use change and forestry which in 1994 reduced emission from China by about +5 per cent. and increased those of India by about 8 per cent.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department is implementing to cut carbon emissions from transport; and what the percentage change in emissions from transport was between 2000 and 2005 (a) in total and (b) in each year.

Elliot Morley: The UK Government set out its policy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors in its publication Climate Change: The UK Programme" in 2000. The Climate Change Programme (CCP) is currently under review, and as part of this review the Government are considering the scope for additional policy measures to further reduce emissions from all sectors, including transport.
	The following tables contain carbon emissions from 2000 to 2003, the latest year for which published data are available, expressed as million tonnes of carbon (MtC) equivalent. Percentage changes are shown as a year-on-year change and as a total change from 2000 to 2003.
	The first table shows carbon emissions from domestic transport, which includes emissions from road, diesel rail, domestic aviation and domestic shipping. The second table shows carbon emissions from international shipping and international aviation; under guidelines agreed internationally, these emissions are not included in UK total emissions, but are estimated for information purposes and do not count towards the achievement of the UK's Kyoto target.
	
		Domestic transport
		
			  Total transport emissions (MtC) Percentage change between each year Percentage change in total (2000–03) 
		
		
			 2000 33.63 — — 
			 2001 33.50 -0.39 — 
			 2002 34.00 1 .49 — 
			 2003 34.34 1 .00 2.11 
		
	
	
		International aviation and shipping
		
			  Total transport emissions (MtC) Percentage change between each year Percentage change in total (2000–03) 
		
		
			 2000 9.81 — — 
			 2001 9.79 -0.20 — 
			 2002 9.35 -4.49 — 
			 2003 9.49 1 .50 -3.26

EC Water Framework Directive

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of lakes of more than one hectare in area in England and Wales have been designated as water bodies under the EC Water Framework directive.

Elliot Morley: 432 lakes were designated and reported to the European Commission in March 2005 as part of the first round of river basin district characterisation under the EC Water Framework directive. Of these 432, a total of 137 lakes were greater than 50 hectares in size and 295 lakes were less than 50 hectares in size (50 hectares being the minimum size threshold required for designation and reporting to the European Commission).
	There are 6,247 lakes of more than one hectare in England and Wales. 432 of these lakes were designated as water bodies under the Water Framework directive (WFD), and this equates to 6.9 per cent. of lakes of greater than one hectare.
	The Environment Agency and DEFRA are working with English Nature and Countryside Council of Wales to ensure that the designation of smaller waters under the WFD is in line with relevant EU WFD Common Implementation Strategy Guidance.

EC Water Framework Directive

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that additional (a) lakes, (b) rivers and (c) other small waters of high biodiversity significance beyond those already identified by the Environment Agency will be designated as water bodies in time for the first round of the River Basin Management Planning under the EC Water Framework directive.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is working with English Nature and Countryside Council of Wales, to identify water bodies of biodiversity significance in line with the relevant Guidance developed under the EU Water Framework directive (WFD) Common Implementation Strategy and the UK WFD Technical Advisery Group (UKTAG). A protocol for the appropriate designation of these water bodies is being developed with DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government.
	Further details of this protocol will be discussed with members of the WFD Stakeholder Forum for England which is chaired by my Department and meets next on 18 January 2006.

EC Water Framework Directive

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of length of rivers in England and Wales has been designated as water bodies under the EC Water Framework directive.

Elliot Morley: A total of 51,182.7 km of rivers were designated as water bodies in accordance with the EC Water Framework directive (WFD) and associated EU WFD Common Implementation Strategy Guidance, and reported to the European Commission in March 2005 as part of the first round of river basin characterisation. The reported length is approximately 31 per cent. of the total river network of 163,837km (at the scale of 1:50,000) which represents catchments greater than 10km2 as specified under the system A typology for rivers under the directive.
	As part of the refinement of characterisation, the Environment Agency and DEFRA are working with English Nature and Countryside Council of Wales to ensure that smaller waters are dealt with in accordance with the relevant EU WFD common implementation strategy guidance.

Hunting Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of (a) sections 1 to 5 and (b) Schedule 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.

Jim Knight: The Government are satisfied with the operation of the Hunting Act 2004 to date.

Rural Communities (East Yorkshire)

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to sustain rural communities in East Yorkshire.

Jim Knight: In its Rural Strategy 2004, the Government announced an ambitious and targeted set of priorities for rural communities and enhancing our natural environment, together with radical reforms for their delivery, all firmly within a sustainable development framework. Since the General Election in May we have reinforced those priorities through actions such as the establishment of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission, the announcement of a new Rural Social and Community funding programme and the introduction of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill. The Bill seeks, among other things, to establish both the Commission for Rural Communities-an expert adviser, advocate and watchdog for rural communities-and Natural England-a new integrated agency to conserve and enhance the natural environment.
	All of these activities will impact on East Yorkshire. In addition, the East Riding of Yorkshire benefits from being a LEADER+ rural development area and forms part of the Humber Rural Pathfinder area for the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

DEFENCE

Administrative Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the administrative costs were of each non-departmental public body for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has six Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and 11 advisory NDPBs.
	Executive NDPB gross expenditure costs for reporting years 1999–2000 through to 2004–05 can be found in the supplementary annex to the Ministry of Defence annual report and accounts 2004–05 (http://www.mod.uk/publications/modara04–05/index.html). Figures given for each Executive NDPB are generally non-identifiable. Figures for the Fleet Air Arm Museum are identifiable.
	Administrative costs for MOD advisory NDPBs in 2004–05 are listed in the following table.
	
		£
		
			 Advisory NDPB Administrative costs Contract costs Total costs for 2004–05 
		
		
			 Animal Welfare Advisory Committee 6,665 0 6,665 
			 Defence Nuclear Safety Committee 34,808 0 34,808 
			 Nuclear Research Advisory Committee 18,169 0 18,169 
			 Defence Scientific Advisory Council 369,929 134,140 504,069 
			 Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors n/a n/a n/a 
			 Advisory Group on Medical Countermeasures 5,000 175,000 180,000 
			 Armed Forces Pay Review Body 92,056 0 92,056 
			 War Pensions Committee 38,507 0 38,507 
			 Dartmoor Steering Group 0 0 0 
			 National Employers Advisory board 21,300 0 21,300 
			 Review Board for Government Contracts 41,943 347,518 389,461 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Administrative costs may include staff fees, travel and subsistence claims, conferences and advertising.
	2.Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors has not met since 1996. There were no costs for 2004–05.
	3.The Dartmoor Steering Group incurs no costs. Members are voluntary and no expenses are claimed.

Chinook HC2

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of all (a) reports, (b) memoranda, (c) audits and (d) other evaluations that were produced by (i) Boscombe Down and (ii) on behalf of Boscombe Down during the flight trials of the Chinook HC2 helicopter, including those covering engine-control software before 3 June 1994.

Adam Ingram: I will write to the right hon. Gentleman, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

DESO

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2759W, on the Defence Export Service Organisation (DESO), whether records of such requests are kept or recorded in DESO's overseas offices.

Adam Ingram: There is no requirement for overseas staff of the Defence Export Services Organisation to report to the London office details of instances in which advice has been given to companies about agents. It is therefore for each overseas post to determine in which cases there is a business need to record such advice.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many detainees being held by multi-national forces in Iraq (a) have been charged with a criminal offence and (b) are entitled to obtain independent legal advice regarding their detention.

Adam Ingram: None of the individuals held by UK forces have been charged with a criminal offence. They are held because they are judged to be an imperative threat to security as coalition forces are authorised to do by International and Iraqi law. All of them are entitled to obtain independent legal advice regarding their detention.
	The divisional temporary detention facility is subject to regular inspections by the ICRC.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, columns 677–78W, on Iraq, 
	(1)  when the Government were first informed of the deaths in April; and what action was taken as a result;
	(2)  whether either of the two individuals who died in custody are known to have had prior contact with UK armed service personnel.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 8 December 2005
	I am only aware of one death in April 2005 of an Iraqi that United Kingdom forces believe was at the time in the custody of the Iraqi police service. It is believed that the death occurred between 10 April, when the individual was detained and 14 April, when officials became aware of it. Ministers were advised on 28 April. Strong representations were subsequently made to the Iraqi authorities, both in Basra and in Baghdad, that they should carry out a full investigation and that any human rights abuses in the treatment of prisoners in Iraqi custody should cease. As a result the unit in whose custody the death occurred was disbanded and three Iraqi police officers are under investigation.
	UK armed forces were involved in the arrest of the individual on 10 April but there is no record of prior contact with him.
	The other death to which I referred in my answer of 11 November 2005, Official Report, column 855W, occurred in September 2005. I am not aware that the individual concerned had any prior involvement with UK forces.

Iraq

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many of those suspected of committing a serious terrorism-related offence in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan and detained by the British armed forces (i) have been extradited to another state and (ii)have been handed over to US authorities in Iraq since March 2003; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the legal status is of those in British custody but not charged in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: British armed forces have neither extradited to another state nor handed over to US authorities in Iraq any detainees suspected of committing a serious terrorism-related offence in Afghanistan since March 2003. No one is currently held in British custody in Afghanistan.
	I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, columns 221–22W, which gives the numbers of those suspected of committing a serious terrorism-related offence who have been transferred into US custody in Iraq since 2003. British armed forces have not extradited to another state any detainees suspected of committing a serious terrorism-related offence in Iraq since March 2003.
	All internees in British custody in Iraq are held under the auspices of UN Security Council Resolution 1546 and Iraqi law.

Joint Strike Fighter

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the two different engines proposed to power the F35 Joint Strike Fighter are still to be produced.

Adam Ingram: Work continues on developing both the F135 and F136 engines for the Joint Strike Fighter.

Joint Strike Fighter

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the three variants of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter with the different wings, power systems and weapons are still to be produced.

Adam Ingram: Work on the development of the three Joint Strike Fighter variants continues.

Joint Strike Fighter

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the F35B version of the Joint Strike Fighter is the only aircraft that could operate from the proposed two new aircraft carriers.

Adam Ingram: It remains our plan to operate the F-35B (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant) Joint Strike Fighter aircraft from the future carrier. We also retain the option to deploy Harrier GR9 initially. However, the design has the flexibility to be adapted to operate conventional take-off and landing aircraft if we decide to do so in the future. In addition a range of helicopters will operate from the ships.

Officer Training Corps

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of the Officer Training Corps are eligible for mobilised service.

Don Touhig: Members of the Officer Training Corps may be called out for mobilised service under Section 52 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. No call-out Order has been made under that section.

PR Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the public relations companies that have hadcontracts with (a) his Department, (b) his non-departmental public bodies, (c) his Department's Executive agencies and (d) other bodies funded by his Department and for which he is responsible since May 1997; and what work was undertaken by each.

Don Touhig: Ministry of Defence expenditure on external assistance, of which consultants employed to manage PR is part, is available in the Library of the House for years 1995–96 to 2004–05 contained in the documents Expenditure On External Assistance for the MOD by TLB/Agency", and Expenditure On External Assistance for the MOD by Category". Although this is broken down by various categories, my Department does not centrally record expenditure on external PR or other related agencies.

RAF Tristars

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of RAF Tristars are fitted with (a) the defensive aid system and (b) cockpit armour.

Adam Ingram: 33 per cent. of the RAF's Tristar fleet are currently fitted with a defensive aid suite and 78 per cent. are fitted with flight deck armour.

Sub-munitions (Kosovo)

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many BL755 sub-munitions were destroyed by (a) 33 Engineer Regiment and (b) other UK forces in Kosovo between June 1999 and July 2000.

Adam Ingram: Information about the number and types of sub-munitions destroyed by United Kingdom forces is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Nonetheless, I can confirm that 212 sub-munitions tasks were conducted in Kosovo between 12 June 1999 and 30 June 2000; however, this figure relates to all sub-munitions tasks.

TRANSPORT

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much was spent on advertising by (a) his Department and previous Departments with his Department's responsibilities, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department in each year since May 1997;
	(2)  if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) his Department and previous Departments with his Department's responsibilities, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) Executive agency for which his Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by his Department since May 1997.

Karen Buck: The requested figures for advertising are set out as follows. However, records of costs from 1997–98 until 2001–02 are not readily available due to departmental re-organisations and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
	The majority of advertising investment by my central Department is in support of the THINK! Road Safety campaign. DVLA's main advertising expenditure has been to support the introduction of continuous registration.
	
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 DfT (Central) 10,446,000 10,427,000 9,021,724 
			 DVLA 8,066,000 10,177,000 9,370,000 
			 DSA 0 0 0 
			 HA 232,135 137,703 388,024 
			 VOSA 0 4,800 13,500 
			 MCA 52,292 33,619 49,495 
			 VCA 4,641 5,640 8,865 
			 SRA 95,000 505,000 25,000 
		
	
	Listing the public relations companies that have had contracts with (a) the Department and previous Departments with the Department's responsibilities, (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii)Executive agency for which the Department is responsible and (c) independent statutory bodies, organisations and bodies financially sponsored by the Department since May 1997 could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual expenditure on training and development by (a) his Department and (b) each (i)non-departmental public body, (ii) Executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Karen Buck: The Department is committed to developing and improving the way it works to better achieve its business objectives. In order to do this it encourages all of its staff to take part in development activities that will improve their skills. In addition, certain staff may be required to carry out mandatory training for particular duties.
	The information is as follows:
	
		£
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 (planned) 
		
		
			 Department for Transport (Central) 2,206,518 2,627,595 2,845,353 2,937,748 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency — 1,071,251 714,289 869,879 
			 Highways Agency 2,500,359 3,140,799 3,185,269 3,053,454 
			 Driving Standards Agency 3,034,500 3,164,087 3,866,527 2,938,602 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 1,418,000 1,684,000 2,140,000 3,843,000 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1,313,902 1,260,144 1,502,734 1,061,500 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 111,000 146,000 127,000 150,000 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 60,409 80,393 56,237 51,645 
			 Railway Heritage Committee — — — 0 
			 Northern Lighthouse Board 182,270 222,851 159,978 185,000 
			 Trinity House Lighthouse Service 332,000 252,000 300,000 400,000 
			 Rail Passengers Council — — — 80,000 
			 Commission for Integrated Transport 5,952 8,481 9,610 7,500 
			 Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee — 2,036 6,183 1,985 
			 Traffic Commissioners and Deputies 0 0 0 0 
			 Strategic Rail Authority 407,435 650,603 919,024 973,634 
			 Standing Advisory Committee for Trunk Road Assessment 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	Financial records are not kept in a form which allows the Department to distinguish between country or region.
	The Rail Passenger Council was launched on 25 July 2005.
	The Railway Heritage Committee transferred to the Department for Transport on 21 November 2005.
	There are no records for the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee prior to 2003–04.
	The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency was set up on 1 April 2003.
	Department for Transport (Central) was set up in May 2002 and the 2002–03 expenditure reflects that.
	There is no current Standing Advisory Committee for Trunk Road Assessment set up.

Light Rail

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was given in subsidy by his Department to each light rail scheme currently in operation in each year since they commenced operation.

Alistair Darling: holding answer 11 November 2005
	The following light rail schemes are currently in operation in England.
	Blackpool Trams
	Croydon Tramlink
	Docklands Light Railway
	Manchester Metrolink
	Midland Metro
	Nottingham Express Transit
	Sheffield Supertram
	Tyne and Wear Metro
	Of these, only the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and the Tyne and Wear Metro, have received operating subsidy from the Department for Transport or its predecessors and agencies.
	The operating subsidy provided is as follows.
	
		£ million
		
			  Docklands Light Railway Tyne and Wear Metro 
		
		
			 1987–88 2.126 — 
			 1988–89 2.840 — 
			 1989–90 5.420 — 
			 1990–91 9.999 — 
			 1991–92 19.759 — 
			 1992–93 15.342 — 
			 1993–94 14.399 — 
			 1994–95 15.656 — 
			 1995–96 13.249 — 
			 1996–97 19.530 8.795 
			 1997–98 6.716 8.619 
			 1998–99 6.343 8.630 
			 1999–2000 20.824 9.428 
			 2000–01 4.911 9.787 
			 2001–02 3.681 9.884 
			 2002–03 4.594 11.831 
			 2003–04 3.734 13.407 
			 2004–05 5.838 15.952 
		
	
	From 2000 the DLR subsidy has been paid by Transport for London (TfL).
	For the years prior to 1996–97 it is not possible to separately identify the Metro element within the overall support provided for heavy rail and Metro services in Tyne and Wear.
	The concessionaire of Croydon Tramlink, though it does not receive a revenue subsidy from central Government, is entitled to compensation on a 'no better, no worse' basis where fares policy enacted by the Mayor results in revenues per trip falling below those assumed in the 1996 financing plan which underpinned the Private Finance Initiative concession. It received compensation payments of £5.501 million in 2003–04 and £5.812 million (estimated) in 2004–05.
	The local authorities which are responsible for the running of these systems may make some contribution to their operating costs depending on the commercial arrangements with the system operators in each particular case. The Department does not hold any central records on this.
	The Department's capital expenditure on the construction of light rail systems in England since 1980 is as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 Tyne and Wear Metro 237.5 
			 Docklands Light Railway 335.5 
			 Manchester Metrolink 123.0 
			 Sheffield Supertram 220.0 
			 Midland Metro 80.0 
			 Croydon Tramlink 125.0 
			 Nottingham Express Transit 167.0 
		
	
	Normally this is paid as an upfront capital sum, except in the case of Nottingham Express Transit where the funding is in the form of annual availability payments.

Mobility and Inclusion Unit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the work completed to date by the Mobility and Inclusion Unit; and what issues the unit is working on.

Karen Buck: The Mobility and Inclusion Unit contributes to the delivery of the Department for Transport's aim to
	make transport accessible and affordable to users of public transport, pedestrians and motorists, and to promote diversity in transport provision".
	Specifically the current focus of the unit is to:
	improve accessibility to transport, in particular through implementation of Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005 provisions, and promote personal mobility;
	reduce social exclusion through implementation of recommendations of the Social Exclusion Unit report and promote social inclusion, in particular through implementation of the Race Equality Scheme;
	work with partners to reduce crime and fear of crime on the transport network.
	Details of the recent achievements and current objectives of the unit can be found in the Mobility and Inclusion Unit Business Plan 2005–06 which is available on the Department for Transport's website.

Mobility and Inclusion Unit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the retention of expertise in the Mobility and Inclusion Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Staff in the Mobility and Inclusion Unit often stay in posts longer than is usual elsewhere in the Department for Transport. We balance the benefits of retaining expertise in the short-term with providing opportunities for development and promotion to allow us to sustain this valuable work in the long-term.

Passenger Subsidies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) capital and (b) revenue subsidy per passenger mile travelled was for each transport authority in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: holding answer 19 December 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1620W.

Public Service Agreements

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress of each public service agreement target set for his Department.

Karen Buck: Progress against public service agreement targets is set out in the Department's annual report and autumn performance report, as well as on the Department's website.

Public Service Agreements

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with stakeholders about progress of each public service agreement target set for his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Management of public service agreement targets is an integral part of the Department's business and discussions with stakeholders about delivery of these targets take place on a routine basis.

TREASURY

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were diagnosed with (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many people were diagnosed with (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years.(41166)
	The most recent available information on registration of newly diagnosed cases (incidence) is for the year 2003. Numbers of newly diagnosed cases of selected cancers registered in England and Wales between 1994 and 2003 are given in the attached table.
	
		Number of newly diagnosed cases of selected cancers registered in England and Wales, 1994–2003
		
			  Prostate(1) Breast(1) Colorectal (bowel)(1) Lung(1) All other cancers(2) 
			  Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 1994 19,399 31,671 14,811 14,093 23,314 12,297 54,622 54,114 
			 1995 19,239 31,834 15,013 13,917 22,481 12,432 54,679 54,211 
			 1996 20,098 32,393 15,547 14,353 21,398 12,117 54,518 53,852 
			 1997 19,501 33,457 15,837 14,123 21,180 12,223 55,255 54,967 
			 1998 20,597 34,822 16,266 14,757 20,768 12,559 56,365 55,046 
			 1999 22,403 36,438 16,507 14,731 20,445 12,566 57,055 56,092 
			 2000 24,726 35,888 16,653 14,255 20,311 12,880 57,599 56,574 
			 2001 27,773 36,392 16,174 13,943 19,758 12,719 56,685 56,432 
			 2002 28,577 36,659 16,276 13,928 19,182 12,634 56,297 55,715 
			 2003 28,810 38,864 16,636 13,906 18,841 13,071 56,841 56,748 
		
	
	(1)Cancers registered in 1994 and 1995–2003 are, respectively, defined by codes in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (IC.D9) and Tenth Revision (JCDI0). Therefore, prostate cancer is defined by codes 185 or C61, breast cancer by codes 174 or C50, colorectal (bowel) cancer by codes 153–154 or C18-C21 and lung cancer by codes 162 or C33-C34.
	(2)All other cancers" are defined by codes 140–208 or COO-C97 (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer 173 or C44 and excluding the codes in footnote 1 above).
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died from (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people died from (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years. (41167)
	The latest year for which data are available is 2004. Figures for deaths from cancer by site are shown in the attached table for each year from 1995 to 2004.
	
		Number of deaths from cancer by site,(3) England and Wales, 1995 to 2004(4)
		
			 Calendar year (a) prostate (b) breast(5) (c) bowel (d) lung (e) other cancer site 
		
		
			 1995 8,866 12,623 15,749 31,627 70,293 
			 1996 8,742 12,246 15.447 30:S10 70.214 
			 1997 8.523 12.047 15,219 29,976 69.882 
			 1998 8.573 11.835 14,984 30,199 70,738 
			 1999 8,533 11.670 14,607 29,493 69.832 
			 2000 8.293 11,433 14,236 29,029 69,695 
			 2001(6) 8,912 11,638 14,142 28,728 72.419 
			 2002(6) 8.973 11.557 14,275 28,806 73.166 
			 2003(6) 9.166 11,276 14.051 28.765 72.697 
			 2004(6) 9.169 11,031 14,171 28,328 72,157 
		
	
	(3)The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1995 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2001 onwards. The codes used are listed as follows:
	Malignant neoplasm of prostate—ICD-9 185; ICD-10 C61;
	Malignant neoplasm of breast—ICD-9 174–175; ICD-10 C50;
	Malignant neoplasm of colon and rectum—ICD-9 153/154; ICD-10 C18-C21;
	Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung—ICD-9 162; ICD-10 C33-C34;
	Other cancer sites—ICD-9 140–208 excluding the above codes; ICD-10 C00-C97 excluding the above codes.
	(4)Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(5)Figures include deaths in males as well as females.
	(6)The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for cancer are not completely comparable with data for years before this date. The data should therefore be interpreted with caution. The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on deaths from cancer by site is described in an article published in August 2004 (7) .
	(8)Brock A. Griffiths C. Rooney C (2004) The effect of the introduction of ICD-10 on cancer mortality trends in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 23. 7–17.

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the five-year survival rates were for (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the five-year survival rates were for (a) prostate cancer, (b) breast cancer, (c) bowel cancer, (d) lung cancer and (e) all other cancers in each of the last 10 years.(41168)
	Cancer survival rates are only produced for specific cancers and are calculated by combining several years of diagnosis.
	The latest available five-year survival rates for the selected major cancers in England are for adult patients (aged 15–99 years) diagnosed during 1998–2001 and followed up to the end of 2003, These figures and survival rates for patients diagnosed during 1991–95 and 1996–99 in England and Wales are given in the attached table.
	
		Five-year age-standardised(9) relative survival (%) for adult patients(10) diagnosed during 1991–95 (England and Wales), 1996–99 (England and Wales) and 1998–2001 (England), major cancers by sex
		
			   Five-year relative survival 
			 Cancer  Patients diagnosed 1991–95 England and Wales Patients diagnosed 1996–99 England and Wales Patients diagnosed 1998–2001 England 
		
		
			 Prostate(11) Men 53.6 64.8 70.8 
			 Breast(11) Women 72.8 77.5 79.9 
			 Colon(11) Men 42.1 46.9 49.4 
			  Women 42.8 47.9 50.2 
			 Rectum(11) Men 40.3 46.8 50.0 
			  Women 44.8 51.1 53.6 
			 Lung(11) Men 5.2 5.8 6.3 
			  Women 5.4 6.4 7.5 
		
	
	(9)As cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, the relative rates for all ages (15–99) have been age-standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time, thus making them comparable with previously published figures.
	(10)Aged 15–99 years.
	(11)Cancers registered in 1991–94 and 1995–2001 are, respectively, defined by codes in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD9) and Tenth Revision ICD10). Therefore, prostate cancer is defined by codes 185 or C61, breast cancer by codes 174 or C50, colorectal (bowel) cancer by codes 153–154 or C18-C21 and lung cancer by codes 162 or C33-C34.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Cancer

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was for cancer in people under 75 years in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the mortality rate was for cancer in people under 75 years in each of the last 10 years. (41169)
	The latest year for which data are available is 2004. Figures for deaths from cancer in people aged under 75 years are shown in the attached table for each year from 1995 to 2004.
	
		Age-standardised death rate(12) from cancer,(13) in persons aged under 75 years,(14) England, 1995 to 2004(15)
		
			 Calendar year Rate per 100,000 
		
		
			 1995(16) 144.7 
			 1996(16) 141.6 
			 1997(16) 137.3 
			 1998(16) 136.0 
			 1999(16) 132.0 
			 2000(16) 129.0 
			 2001 125.8 
			 2002 124.4 
			 2003 121.3 
			 2004 118.7 
		
	
	(12)Age-standardised to the European standard population.
	(13)The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1995 to 2000, and the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2001 onwards. The codes used are listed as follows:
	Malignant neoplasms—ICD-9 140–208; ICD-10 C00 C97.
	(14)Data exclude deaths at age under 28 days.
	(15)Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(16)The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for cancer are not completely comparable with data for years before this date. The figures presented in this table for the years 1993 to 2000 have been adjusted using comparability ratios to be comparable with ICD-10.
	The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on deaths from all cancer and cancer by site is described in an article published in August 2004.*
	*Brock A, Griffiths C, Rooney C (2004) The effect of the introduction of ICD-10 on cancer mortality trends in England and Wales Health Statistics Quarterly" 23, 7–17.

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the weekly amount of child benefit paid to the first child in each household is higher than the rate paid in respect of other children in the household; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are committed to helping families with children through the financial support system. Its approach is based on the dual principles of providing financial support for all families with children, recognising the extra costs and responsibilities associated with bringing up a child; and offering more help to those who need it most, when they need it most. In the Child Poverty Review (2004), the Government also set out its long-term aspiration to improve the financial support available to large families.

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of taxing child benefit at the marginal rate of tax; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government's system of financial support for families with children is built on the principle of progressive universalism, delivering help for all families and more help for those who need it most. Universal child benefit forms the foundation of this system, recognising the extra costs and responsibilities associated with bringing up a child. The Government believe it is right that society should recognise the importance of family life by providing financial support for every family with a dependent child, and will not tax child benefit. Child benefit is complemented by child tax credit, which delivers greatest support to those who need it most, including families on lower incomes, those with children under one, and parents of disabled children.

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual revenue yield of taxing child benefit at the marginal rate of tax.

Dawn Primarolo: An estimate of the annual cost of exempting tax on Child Benefit for 2005–06 is published in Table 7 of 'Tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs', published alongside the pre-Budget report.

Child Trust Fund

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of Child Trust Fund vouchers issued to date have been used to open accounts which are valued at (a) £500 and (b) £250; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1783 to the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey).

Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the operation of sections (a) 1 and (b) 2 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005;
	(2)  when he expects each section of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 to come into force; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Most of the provisions of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 were brought into force by Commencement Order (Statutory Instrument 2005 no. 1126) with effect from 5.45 pm on 7 April 2005 shortly after the Act had received Royal Assent. The Order provided for the remainder of the Act to come into force on 18 April 2005.
	Those sections, including sections 1 and 2, brought into force on 7 April enabled preparatory work to begin on the setting up of HM Revenue and Customs and the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office. The transfer of functions from the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise was completed on 18 April, when the new Departments were launched.
	Details of the current Commissioners can be found in HM Revenue and Customs' Annual Report 2004–05, which is available in the House Library.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2005, Official Report, column 1964W, on council tax, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) internal guidance and manuals and (b) external guidance for local authorities in Wales that the Valuation Office Agency produced for the Welsh council tax revaluation.

Dawn Primarolo: No internal guidance or manuals were produced by the Valuation Office Agency for local authority departments in Wales for the Welsh council tax revaluation. Copies of external guidance will be placed in the Library.

Departmental Expenditure

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on (a) online and (b) non-online self assessment in each year since 1997; and how much was spent on (i) set up and maintenance of the website, (ii) advertising and (iii) investigation of fraud and error; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is as follows:
	(i) The Inland Revenue's on-line service for self assessment tax returns went live in 2000–01 (on 3 July 2000). Costs provided are for set up and maintenance of that website based service. £ million
	
		
			  (i) Set up and maintenance of website 
		
		
			 1998–99 0 
			 1999–2000 0 
			 2000–01 7.4 
			 2001–02 7.3 
			 2002–03 10.0 
			 2003–04 6.5 
		
	
	(ii) In respect of costs of advertising attributable to self assessment may I refer the hon. Member back to the answers given to him on 18 July 2005, Official Report, column.1334W and 19 November 2003, Official Report, column 1093W and the reply to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 5 January 2004.
	(iii) HMRC do not separate the costs of compliance for online/non online filers. The information can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Economic Activity (Ethnic Groups)

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the economic activity rates were for (a) men and (b) women in each ethnic group in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about economic activity rates for ethnic groups. (40661)
	The attached table gives the estimate of the economic activity rates for people of working age by ethnic groups for the twelve month period ending December 2004 from the Annual Population Survey.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the Annual Population Survey (APS) are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		Economic activity rates for people of working age(17) by ethnicity and sex: United Kingdom—12 months ending December 2004
		
			  All persons Men Women 
			  Levels (000s) Activity rates (%)(20) Levels (000s) Activity rates (%)(20) Levels (000s) Activity rates (%)(20) 
		
		
			 Total(18) 28,327 78.0 15,503 83.2 12,824 72.6 
			
			 White(18) 25,388 79.5 13,826 84.1 11,562 74.6 
			 of which:   
			 British(19) 24,089 79.6 13,124 84.2 10,965 74.8 
			 Other white(19) 1,299 77.1 702 82.9 597 71.3 
			
			 Mixed 185 71.1 91 77.8 94 65.5 
			 of which:   
			 White and Black Caribbean 52 69.3 24 73.5 28 66.2 
			 White and Black African 25 75.5 11 79.8 14 72.4 
			 White and Asian 50 67.5 29 77.2 21 57.4 
			 Other mixed 58 74.3 27 81.9 31 68.5 
			
			 Asian or Asian British 1,060 63.8 658 76.7 402 50.1 
			 of which:   
			 Indian 555 74.0 320 81.1 234 66.1 
			 Pakistani 251 51.8 178 71.8 73 30.9 
			 Bangladeshi 91 48.0 67 70.5 24 25.3 
			 Other Asian 163 68.9 93 77.4 71 60.3 
			
			 Black or Black British 545 69.9 273 75.8 272 64.9 
			 of which:   
			 Black Caribbean 269 76.8 132 80.3 138 73.8 
			 Black African 251 63.7 129 72.0 122 56.7 
			 Other Black 24 72.0 12 72.6 12 71.4 
			
			 Chinese 105 59.4 56 63.0 49 55.8 
			 Other 279 63.1 166 71.8 113 53.6 
		
	
	(17)Includes men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.
	(18)Includes people who did not state their ethnic origin.
	(19)Excludes Northern Ireland. Detailed level ethnicity questions are not asked of the white group in Northern Ireland.
	(20)Economically active as a percentage of all persons in the relevant ethnic group.
	Source:
	ONS—Annual Population Survey

Equity Release

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to equity release, with particular reference to maintaining older people in their homes.

Ivan Lewis: Property is the most important and sometimes only significant asset of elderly people. The Government's approach to equity release schemes is to ensure that all homeowners, including older people, are able to make informed choices when purchasing these products, to offer suitable consumer protection, and to ensure that there is a level regulatory playing field in the equity release market.
	There are two main types of equity release schemes: lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. The Financial Services Authority regulates the sale and administration of first charge mortgages on primary residences, including lifetime mortgages. Following extensive consultation, the Regulation of Financial Services (Land Transactions) Act gained Royal Assent on 19 December 2005, bringing home reversion plans into regulation. The Government will consult further on the detail of the changes in due course.

EU Agriculture Budget

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the EU's agriculture budget was spent on (a) direct payments, (b) market price support, (c) input subsidies and (d) export subsidies in the last period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: In 2004, the EU spent a total of €43.7 billion under the Agriculture" heading of the Financial Perspective. €29.9 billion (68 per cent.) was spent on direct payments and €8.5 billion (19 per cent.) on interventions in agricultural markets", which broadly corresponds to market price support, of which €3.3 billion (8 per cent.) was for export subsidies (export subsidies are one of the tools used to support market prices). Input subsidies are not separately identified in the budget, but the OECD estimates that €14 billion was spent in the EU in 2004 on payments based on input use and input constraints in 2004, some of which was nationally funded, out of a total of €108 billion support provided to EU farmers by EU taxpayers and consumers.
	The EU's agriculture budget accounts for only part ofEL market price support, the bulk of which is paid for by consumers. Fuller analysis can be found in DEFRA and HM Treasury's recent paper, A Vision for the Common Agricultural Policy", in particular in Chapter 2.

HM Revenue and Customs

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed in Southend by HM Revenue and Customs, broken down by (a) sex and (b) grade.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the current breakdown of HMRC staff in Southend on Sea by grade and sex.
	
		
			  Female Male Total 
		
		
			 SCS 1 3 4 
			 Grade 6 6 11 17 
			 Grade 7 15 24 39 
			 Senior Officer (SEO) 116 206 322 
			 Higher Officer (HEO) 245 255 500 
			 Officer (EO) 322 168 490 
			 Assistant Officer (AO) 380 154 534 
			 Admin Assistant (AA) 263 134 397 
			 Total 1,348 955 2,303

Identity Cards

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made by his Department of the total cost to the Exchequer of introducing a national identity card scheme; what approval for such expenditure has been given by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Treasury has not conducted any separate estimates of the costs of creating and maintaining a national identity card.
	However, as with other policy formulation, the Treasury contributed to the cross-government estimates of the costs and benefits of ID card scheme led by the department leading the policy area, in this case the Home Office. The estimates for the global costs for the scheme were set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment. This can be found at: http://www.identitycards.aov.uk/library/Identity_cards_bill_regulatory_ impact.pdf
	The Government announced it would proceed with the ID cards scheme in November 2003. At the time it was agreed that all costs will be met from existing departmental budgets and charging. This remains the case, as the Home Secretary reiterated to the House on 13 October 2005.

Income Tax (Self-assessment)

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used to determine which taxpayers are required to fill in a self-assessment income tax return.

Dawn Primarolo: The criteria used to determine which taxpayers are required to make self assessment returns are published on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/guidelines.htm and in other HMRC guidance.

Income Tax (Self-assessment)

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many self-assessment tax returns were issued in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The total numbers of self assessment tax returns issued in each financial year are detailed as follows. The figures for the financial year 1997–98 are not available.
	
		
			  Return year  Year issued Total number issued (million) 
		
		
			 1997–98 1998–99 9.189 
			 1998–99 1999–2000 9.346 
			 1999–2000 2000–01 9.324 
			 2000–01 2001–02 9.246 
			 2001–02 2002–03 9.431 
			 2002–03 2003–04 9.816 
			 2003–4 2004–05 10.069

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to answer questions 19721, 19172, 19285, 19180, 19290, 18639, 19720, 19719, 20015, 20442, 20441, 20440, 20692, 23571, 23294, 23573, 24587, 24586, 24547, 24542, 24506, 25243, 25250, 25253, 25249, 25248, 25242, 25252, 29703, 29704, 29706, 29984, 30662, 30008, 30661, 30567 and 33747, tabled by the hon. Member for Yeovil.

Dawn Primarolo: Most of the questions concerned have already been answered and I hope to be in a position to answer the remainder soon.
	Treasury Ministers attach importance to answering Parliamentary questions promptly. Responding to questions which are tabled in very large numbers (the Treasury has received 373 written questions from the hon. Gentleman since the May 2005 General Election) seeking information on issues where extensive documentation has already been provided to Parliament, or where it cannot easily be established whether the information is actually available and capable of being assembled reasonably quickly without incurring disproportionate cost, can, however, be a time-consuming business and delays are almost inevitable.

Population Statistics (London Boroughs)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the current population of each London borough based on (a) the 2001 census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and what projections he has made for the next five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 12 January 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question regarding estimates of the current population of each London borough on (a) 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c)health service users; and projections for the next five years. (39923)
	The Office for National Statistics publishes annual mid-year population estimates. The latest estimates are for mid-2004 and are given in Table 1. These mid-year population estimates are calculated using a robust methodology and are the best estimates of the resident population in an area. They are based on aged-on 2001 Census data adjusted for births, deaths and net migration. Further information on the methodology can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=575.
	Population projections for each London borough (and the City of London) for mid-2005 to mid-2010, are also given in Table 1. These projections are based on the mid-2003 population estimates and are the latest population projections available. They assume that trends in fertility, mortality and migration at the time of the mid-2003 population estimate will continue into the future.
	The 2001 Census provided estimates the number of people usually resident in an area on Census day, 29 April 2001. These figures can be obtained from the published 2001 Census table KS01 a copy of which is held in the House of Commons Library in the published volume Census 2001, Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales.
	Electoral rolls provide counts of the number of people registered to vote. The latest available data on the local/European electorate for 1 December 2004 can be found in the Table 2. It should be noted that the number of people eligible to vote is not the same as the resident population aged 18 and over. There are numerous reasons for this. For example not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote (foreign citizens from outside of the EU and Commonwealth, prisoners, etc. are not eligible), some people do not register to vote and people who have more than one address may register in more than one place. Further there is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. These factors may have a different impact from place to place.
	The number of people registered with a GP. living in each London borough (and the City of London), in July 2004. can also be found in the Table 2. It should also be noted that patient register counts differ from estimates of the usually resident population for a number of reasons.
	Some patients may have more than one NHS number and be double counted and people may be on a patient register after having left the country. Patient registers for local areas may be inflated, for example, student areas, due to students who do not quickly re-register after finishing their course of study and moving away from an area. The patient registers also exclude individuals who are ineligible to be registered with a GP, such as persons employed in the armed forces, prisoners that are sentenced for a term of two years or more and certain patients in long stay medical hospitals. Again this has differential impact from area to area.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis the calculation was made that £2 million be written off from the £174 million of tax credit overpayments arising from software errors in 2003–04 and 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: As was noted in the Inland Revenue 2003–04 annual report and accounts, £37 million was written-off in respect of tax credit overpayments that had arisen as a result of a computer software error, where the overpayment was less than £300. Further analysis of the payment data within the tax credit system identified additional cases amounting to £1.85 million. This was rounded to 'some £2 million' in the Comptroller and Auditor General's standard report on the 2004–05 accounts of the Inland Revenue.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what streamlined procedures were introduced earlier in 2005 to deal with disputed overpayments of tax credits;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the instructions issued to Tax Credit Office staff prior to the introduction of the new procedures.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC's policy on tax credits overpayments is set out in their code of practice 26. The Tax Credit Office streamlined the procedures to clear a backlog of cases where claimants had disputed recovery of an overpayment. The streamlined procedures involve a risk-based approach. As is normal practice with risk-based compliance activity HMRC does not publish details of the procedures.

Tax Credits

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of tax credit fraud in Northern Ireland have been detected in 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total number of overpayments due to official errors in the new tax credit system is; and what their value was in each year since April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the form requested.
	For the total number of disputed overpayments written off as a result of official error, I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave him on 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 497W, and on 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1214W.

Tax Credits

Ian Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ask the Tax Office to provide claimants with a full explanation of how the demands for repayment of (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit are calculated.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) code of practice 26 What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?" explains the rates of recovery for overpayments of tax credits. From April 2006 HMRC will introduce an improved version of the tax credits award notice. This will include a section on overpayments and how any overpayment will be recovered.

Tax Credits

Anne Milton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit applications are being processed; and how many of each were received (i) up to six months ago and (ii)more than six months ago.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the form requested. There is a single claim form for tax credits so it is not possible to differentiate between claims for child tax credit and working tax credit.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department will extend the criteria for suspension of the recovery of a tax credit overpayment to include cases where (a) a letter has been sent by an hon. Member to the Paymaster General regarding a caseof disputed overpayment, (b) the Parliamentary ombudsman has commenced an investigation into a case where the claimant has been overpaid and (c) a letter has been sent by an hon. Member to the Tax Credit Office in Preston regarding a case of overpaid tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 19 December 2006
	Where a claimant wishes to dispute recovery of an overpayment, HM Revenue and Customs will initiate suspension of recovery following receipt of a letter or a form TC846 (request to reconsider recovery of tax credits) from the claimant; or a letter sent on behalf of the claimant, and with their authority.

Tax Credits

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of forged tax credits there were in the Gravesham area in each of the five years before the Jobcentre Plus scheme was launched; and how many there were in the last year for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: It is not possible to provide the information in the format requested.

Tax Credits

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of forged tax credits resulting in prosecution have been reported relating to Jobcentre Plus in the Gravesham area in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: None.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 804W, on tax credits, on what date was a written assurance received from EDS that the IT system would be fit for the purpose of supporting tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: EDS provided a certificate on 4 April 2003 confirming that the IT system was fit for the purpose of supporting tax credits and on 5 April 2003 EDS wrote to the Inland Revenue in similar terms.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates were entitled to, but did not claim, tax credits in each year since 2000–01; how much he estimates was unclaimed; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the number of families entitled to, but not claiming working families tax credit in 2000–01, 2001–02 and 2002–03, and the value of unclaimed WFTC entitlements, are available on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/wftc/takeup_rates.htm (tables 1 and 2 of each annual publication). Analysis relating to 2003–04 is on-going and we expect this work to be completed towards the end of 2005–06.

Tax Credits

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of not reclaiming overpaid tax credits from those whose incomes rise by less than £25,000.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Members for Birkenhead (Mr.Frank Field) and for Yeovil (Mr. David Laws) on 13 December 2005, Official Report, column 1836W.

Tax Debt

Gavin Strang: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how HM Revenue and Customs traces those who owe tax for whom it has an incorrect address.

Dawn Primarolo: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) use a number of ways to trace those who owe tax for whom it has an incorrect address.
	1. HMRC sources: Departmental data is checked to see if the Department holds an alternative address.
	2. Other Government Departments and Agencies: Legislation provides legal gateways that allow HMRC to obtain current address information held on other Departments' systems.
	3. Private sector sources: Some use is made of data already in the public domain held by private sector organisations.
	4. Contact by phone or personal call: HMRC staff will attempt contact by telephone as customers may retain their telephone number when they move address.

Tax Investigations

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions there are for a taxpayer to offset against taxes the cost of tax investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: Costs arising out of an investigation into taxes are deductible in calculating the taxable profits of a business, if those taxes are paid as part of the expenses of carrying on the business. In addition, the normal expenses incurred in preparing accounts and calculating the income tax or corporation tax liabilities in respect of the profits of a business are deductible in calculating its taxable profits.
	Additional expenses arising out of an investigation by HMRC are not deductible if the investigation reveals additional income tax or corporation tax liabilities arising from negligent or fraudulent conduct.

Tax Investigations

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used to decide which taxpayers will be subject to tax investigation.

Dawn Primarolo: Cases for direct tax investigation into Self-Assessment returns are selected according to the risk of loss of duty to the Treasury.
	The only exception to this is the small proportion of cases that are statistically selected at random in order to police the system while at the same time providing information as to the extent of compliance in the general population.
	For indirect taxes, investigation" is the term specifically used to describe the Department's activity to combat cases of suspected fraud.
	The selection of taxpayers for mainstream assurance contact, including visits, is based upon interpretation of the Department's risk analysis systems, past results and other information and intelligence.
	The Department focuses its contacts not only on the wilfully non-compliant through tax investigations, but also on those taxpayers needing education and support through an educational and enabling programme.

Tax Investigations

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax investigations were carried out in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of tax investigations carried out in each year is as follows:
	
		
			 Year ending 5 April: Number 
		
		
			 1999 250,415 
			 2000 510,103 
			 2001 469,750 
			 2002 448,650 
			 2003 313,231 
			 2004 298,819 
			 2005 279,302 
		
	
	For the years ended 5 April 1997, 5 April 1998 and 5 April 1999 the IR did not report the number of tax investigations carried out but reported the number of tax investigations settled annually. The respective annual settlement figures are 96,905, 93,558 and 79,133,

Tax Investigations

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional tax was recovered by the Inland Revenue as a result of tax investigations in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The total additional liability brought into charge as a result of HMRC tackling non-compliance is as follows:
	
		
			 5 April: £ billion 
		
		
			 1997 4.3 
			 1998 3.9 
			 1999 4.0 
			 2000 5.4 
			 2001 4.5 
			 2002 3.8 
			 2003 4.3 
			 2004 4.5 
			 2005 5.7 
		
	
	It should be borne in mind that not all of these liabilities may be collected due to a variety of factors, for example insolvency. We have no data indicating what proportion of these liabilities is ultimately collected.

Tax Investigations

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in respect of how many people tax investigations resulted in a recovery of income tax of (a) nil, or negative tax recovery, (b) under £500, (c) between £500 and £1,000, (d) between £1,000 and £2,000, (e) between £2,000 and £3,000, (f) between £3,000 and £4,000, (g) between £4,000 and £5,000 and (h) over £5,000 in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: These statistics are not routinely kept or reported and the costs involved in extracting the data would be too prohibitive.

Tax Returns

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been fined for filing their income tax return late in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The total numbers of late filing penalty notices (the first automatic penalty) issued in each financial year are detailed as follows. The figures for the financial year 1997–98 are not available.
	
		
			  Return year  Year issued Total number issued (000) 
		
		
			 1997–98 1998–99 748 
			 1998–99 1999–2000 744 
			 1999–2000 2000–01 808 
			 2000–01 2001–02 823 
			 2001–02 2002–03 847 
			 2002–03 2003–04 953 
			 2003–04 2004–05 998

Tax Returns

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was received in fines from filing late income tax returns in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Available information on the amount paid in respect of penalties for failure to submit income tax self assessment returns, since the start of self assessment, is shown in the table as follows. The years relate to accounting years that run to the end of October.
	
		
			 Year to end of October Penalties paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 1998 18.07 
			 1999 29.29 
			 2000 33.01 
			 2001 36.20 
			 2002 36.45 
			 2003 37.68 
			 2004 37.26

Tax Treatment

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to treat payment made to people who mark examination papers as self-employed income.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 January to his questions 40625 and 40626. We have no plans to change the tax treatment of examiners.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Business Financial Reviews

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the meetings held between his Department and the Treasury at which the decision to remove the obligation on businesses to publish operating and financial reviews was discussed.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not had any such meetings.

Departmental Expenditure

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total administrative costs for his core Department are; and whether these are regarded as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses.

Hilary Benn: DFID's provisional outturn for its grosscontrol administration costs limit for 2004–05 is £216,457,000.
	DFID's total expenditure, including administration costs, is classified as identifiable, outside the UK for the purpose of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA).

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the administrative costs were of each agency for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

Hilary Benn: DFID does not have responsibility for any agencies.

Departmental Expenditure

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the administrative costs were of each non-departmental public body for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

Hilary Benn: DFID does not have responsibility for any non-departmental public bodies.

Departmental Functions

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what functions in his Department are carried out in Scotland; and what the administrative costs of these functions were in the last year for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: The total number of UK staff is 1,372, of which 822 are based in London and 550 based in Scotland. DFID's Scotland HQ provides the majority of DFID's support services, including Human Resources, Finance and Corporate Performance, IT and office services. It also provides advisory and operational services for Policy, Knowledge and regional Divisions.
	DFID does not break down its administration costs by location in the UK; however we estimate that for 2004–05, £45 million of our total administration outturn of £216,457,000 can be attributed to the teams based in Scotland.
	DFID has moved a number of posts to Scotland in line with the Efficiency Review recommendations.

Famine

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the threat of famine in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti.

Hilary Benn: Poor rains in much of the Horn of Africa at the end of 2005 have left many communities who are dependent on farming and raising livestock in serious difficulties. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has issued a report saying that as many as 11 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti may require assistance in 2006. The severe food shortages in parts of these countries are sadly not a new phenomenon, and DFID has been responding with humanitarian assistance for many years. We are aware of the particular threat this year, the possibility that the current crisis may deepen, and that other areas may come to be affected.
	DFID humanitarian advisers visited the worst affected areas in Kenya in November 2005, and visits to Somalia and Ethiopia are planned for early 2006.
	This month DFID contributed £1 million to the World Food Programme for Somalia on top of the over £5 million we spent there on humanitarian interventions in 2005. This includes a number of health and nutrition operations in the worst affected parts of Southern Somalia.
	In Ethiopia DFID made a commitment of £43 million in March 2005 to the cash and food aid based Productive Safety Net programme. This programme provides assistance to some of the poorest communities in Ethiopia. In December 2005 we announced a further £2.7 million for Kenya in response to the situation there.
	DFID will continue to monitor the situation closely and we stand ready to provide additional support if necessary.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Expenditure

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what has been the annual expenditure on training and development for (a) his Department and (b) each (i)non-departmental public body, (ii) Executive agency and (iii) other public body for which he is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The available information is given in the following tables. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is not responsible for any training expenditure in bodies in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
	Expenditure on training in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is split between budgets held centrally in the training and development team and those held by line management. The central budget covers the ODPM's induction programme, performance management training, the learning library and Skills for Life programme, helps deliver the ODPM's Excellence in Delivery programme and supports the implementation of Professional Skills for Government. Expenditure on training by line managers is via the Training Framework which offers over 600 public scheduled courses covering a wide range of topics to ensure staff have the necessary core skills.
	With regard to the Audit Commission, this is an operational matter for that body. I will ask the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and to ensure the answer is made available in the Library of the House.
	
		Table 1 -- £000
		
			  2002–03 Out-turn 2003–04 Out-turn 2004–05 Out-turn 2005–06 Planned  
		
		
			 ODPM Central 2,304 1,941 2,162 3,706 Regional breakdown not available 
			 Government Offices 1,680 2,452 2,412 1,779 See regional breakdown in Table 2 
			 Residential Property Tribunal Services 83 108 129 122 Regional breakdown not available 
			 Queen Elizabeth II Conference centre 31 48 27 39 Expenditure all in London 
			 Planning Inspectorate 576 524 457 635 Regional breakdown not available; expenditure in both England and Wales 
			 English Partnerships 346 356 453 1,133 Regional breakdown not available 
			 Fire Service College 266 435 261 316 Regional breakdown not available 
			 Stonebridge HAT 110 109 59 30 Expenditure all in London 
			 London Thames Gateway Development Corporation n/a n/a 5 30 Expenditure all in London and South East. Corporation established in 2004–05 
			 Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation n/a 2 11 12 Expenditure all in London and South East. Established in 2003–04 
			 West Northants Development Corporation n/a n/a n/a 24 Expenditure all in West Midlands. Established in 2005–06 
			 Housing Corporation 304 605 839 675 Regional breakdown not available 
			 VTS n/a n/a 217 255 Regional breakdown not available. Established in 2004–05 
			 Standards Board for England 121 59 87 80 Regional breakdown not available 
			 Total 5,821 6,639 7,119 9,122  
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	
		Table 2
		
			 Government Offices (Regions) 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 North East n/a 290 286 189 
			 North West n/a 300 456 281 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside n/a 187 166 170 
			 West Midlands n/a 264 235 189 
			 East Midlands n/a 294 110 55 
			 East region n/a 176 192 161 
			 South West n/a 226 277 166 
			 South East n/a 188 160 157 
			 London n/a 189 180 135 
			 Regional Co-ordination Unit (based in London) n/a 338 350 235 
			 Total 1,680 2,452 2,412 1,779 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	The Architects Registration Board's accounts operate on an annual basis—from January to December, rather than the financial year from April to March. The training expenditure, in £000 is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002 10 
			 2003 6 
			 2004 13 
			 2005 6 
			 2006 16

Departmental Publications

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to publish as an annex to his annual report a list of all publications published by his Department in the preceding year; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A database of publications issued bythe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister since May 2002 is available on the ODPM website at: http://www.publications.odpm.gov.uk/ Information can be accessed by both date and policy area.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to publish this information in duplicate in our annual report.

Fire Service Restructuring

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on his proposals for regional fire control centres; what assessment he has made of the implications for individual fire authorities of leaving certain functions out of scope of the regional control centre project; and what assessment he has made of the implications for council tax of the continuation of the performance of out of scope activities by local fire brigades.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received three representations directly from fire and rescue authorities since the end of the summer recess. While they raise concerns over finance, none has opposed the fundamental principles of the FiReControl project. On out of scope activities, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 255W. There are not expected to be implications for council tax payers of the continuation of out of scope activities since the overall savings from the project will more than offset any costs arising.

Local Government Finance

John Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action his Department is taking to reduce increases in the cost of auditing to local councils.

Phil Woolas: The Audit Commission is responsible for setting the fees for audit. Its current consultation paper Local Councils—Proposed fee scales 2006– 2011" gives details of proposed reductions on audit fees for many small councils.

Non-governmental Organisations

Alistair Burt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations for which his Department had responsibility on 1 January (a) 2001 and (b) 2006; how many people were employed by each body in each year since 2001; and what the salary of the chief executive of each body was in each year since 2001.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was established in May 2002. Cabinet Office's publication 'Public Bodies 2002' provides information on the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by ODPM, including a figure for staff employed by each body and the salary of the chief executive or other senior officer. A copy of 'Public Bodies 2002' was placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Similar information for years up to 31 March 2005 can be found on Cabinet Office's Public Bodies database at:
	http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/ndpb/ndpb.nsf/0/8AC8284830318568802570AD0044C876?OpenDocument
	On 1 January 2006, ODPM sponsored the following executive public bodies:
	The Architects' Registration Board;
	The Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales;
	English Partnerships (consisting of the Commission for the New Towns and the Urban Regeneration Agency);
	The Housing Corporation;
	The Leasehold Advisory Service;
	London Thames Gateway Development Corporation;
	The Standards Board for England;
	Stonebridge Housing Action Trust;
	Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation;
	West Northants Development Corporation; and
	The Valuation Tribunal Service.

Official Residences (Council Tax)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the council tax bills for his official residences have been paid out of public funds, in each year since his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister.

John Prescott: holding answer 9 January 2006
	I have reviewed the arrangements for the payment of council tax on the official residence I occupy at Admiralty house.
	The Government have paid a discounted amount of council tax on this flat since 1997, continuing the arrangements in place for the previous Conservative Administration. The residence at the time was the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. Consequently, the following amounts of council tax have been paid out of public funds for my official residence:
	
		£
		
			   Ministry of Defence ODPM and predecessors 
		
		
			 1997–98 (21)266.52 — 
			 1998–99 to 2004–05 — 3,564 
		
	
	(21)Pro-rata share subsequently taken over by DETR.
	I was paying council tax on my Hull constituency home and on a rented flat in London, which I vacated in November 2003. I believed that I was paying council tax on all three properties.
	In 1997 I was assigned an official residency at Admiralty house that was deemed as my primary residence in accordance with the House of Commons rules.
	As part of this arrangement I paid additional income tax on the benefit in kind arising from the utilities and services associated with my occupancy of the official residence, equivalent to 10 per cent. of my ministerial salary. This is in accordance with legislation first introduced in the Finance Act 1977 and included in the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.1 believed that council tax on the official residence was included in this.
	In 1997 the Government carried on paying council tax as before on the flat, and claimed a discount (on a second home/company basis). This was not confirmed with me and nor was any advice given to me at the time.
	On reviewing the situation, I am now aware that an inadvertent error has occurred, based on a genuine misunderstanding. To avoid any doubt, I have therefore:
	issued this answer to a parliamentary question to correct the record and to fully apologise to the House;
	instructed my Department to confirm to Westminster City council that Admiralty house is my primary residence;
	insisted that future council tax bills should be sent direct and personally to me;
	reimbursed the Department for their payment of council tax since 1997; and
	although I have no legal obligation to do so, I will pay full council tax on Admiralty house for the whole of the period since 1997 and have requested that Westminster City council calculate any amounts arising from my decision to do so.
	The Commons Fees Office have confirmed that I have acted within the rules at all times.
	The Cabinet Secretary has confirmed that for the future he has put in place procedures to ensure that Ministers who are allocated official residences are givenclear guidance on dealing with their council tax liabilities.
	Dorneywood is owned and managed by an independent trust, which meets the cost of the council tax. There is no cost to public funds.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

2012 Olympic Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what aspirational target for medals at the 2012 Olympic Games has been set by (a) UK Sport and (b) her Department; and what representations have been received on these targets from the British Olympic Association.

Richard Caborn: Neither the Department nor UK Sport has set an aspirational target for Olympic medals in London 2012.
	The Chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) met the Secretary of State on 16 November, and wrote on 2 December to indicate that the BOA's aspirational goal for London 2012 was fourth in the Olympic medal table.

2012 Olympic Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations (a) the Department and (b) UK Sport received from the British Olympic Association on UK Sport's submission to the Treasury on the funding of elite athletes prior to the publication of the pre-Budget report.

Richard Caborn: The Chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) met the Secretary of State on 16 November, and wrote on 2 December about UK Sport's submission to the Department on funding for elite athletes. In addition, officials have also had periodic conversations with the BOA.
	Officials from UK Sport and the BOA met on at least four occasions prior to the submission of UK Sport's 2012 funding proposals to the Department. In addition, the Chairs of the respective organisations met on 12 October to discuss funding for elite athletes.

2012 Olympic Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions UK Sport met the British Olympic Association to discuss the funding of elite athletes prior to the publication of the pre-Budget report.

Richard Caborn: On 12 July, the British Olympic Association (BOA) convened a meeting with UK Sport and Performance Directors from all the summer Olympic sports to assess the initial implications of the successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
	Subsequently, officials from UK Sport and the BOA met on at least four other occasions prior to the submission of UK Sport's 2012 funding proposals to the DCMS. UK Sport and BOA officials also met with representatives from 22 of the 26 summer Olympic sports. In addition, the Chairs of the respective organisations met on 12 October to discuss funding for elite athletes.

Digital Broadcasting

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average cost is per household of (a) digital switch-over and (b) aerial repairs to enable households to receive digital television.

James Purnell: On 8 November 2005, Ofcom published research by the Generics Group which examined the cost and power consumption implications of digital switchover for UK households. The report estimates that
	for those households that will incur a cost as a result of switchover, the actual cost will depend on the equipment requiring conversion and the level of voluntary conversion carried out before switchover. Typical non-voluntary costs for TVs and recorders in households containing an average collection of reception equipment are therefore estimated to range from £26 to £153."

Disabled People (Media Portrayal)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment her Department has made of the portrayal of people with disabilities on television; and what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on this issue.

James Purnell: None. Responsibility for what is broadcast on television and radio rests with the broadcasters and the organisations which regulate broadcasting—the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the Governors of the BBC and the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority. Ofcom did recently publish a report on the representation and portrayal of people with disabilities on analogue terrestrial television.

Free Television Licences

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners in Hendon have received free television licences in 2005; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: TV Licensing, which administers free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in the Hendon constituency in 2004–05 was 5,740 according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

ICONS Online

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the (a) set-up costs, (b) annual running costs, (c) projected lifespan, (d) total cost and (e) impact on Barnett formula funding of ICONS online.

David Lammy: ICONS is a Culture Online project run in partnership with Cognitive Applications. The project set-up cost to date is £510,000; running costs amount to £43,500 each month (£522,000 per year). The project ends in March 2007, but has been designed to become a self-sustainable non-profit organisation after that date. The total cost therefore amounts to just over £1,000,000. Culture Online's remit only extends to England, and the ICONS project has no impact on the Barnett formula funding.

Parliamentary Questions

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to reply to question 38358 tabled on 13 December by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent, on funding for elite athletes.

Richard Caborn: I answered question 38358 from the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson) on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 32W.

World Cup

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Government officials will be attending FIFA World Cup matches in their official capacity.

Richard Caborn: No decision has been made as to whether any Government officials will attend any of the FIFA World Cup matches in Germany this year in an official capacity.
	It is likely that a number of Government Ministers may attend matches and will be accompanied by officials. Similarly, no decisions about Ministerial attendance have been made.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Bankruptcies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of (a) personal and (b) company bankruptcies in (i)London and (ii) each London borough in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table records the numbersof individual bankruptcy orders and company compulsory liquidations in the London Region classified according to Official Receivers' Office from 2002–03 to 2004–05.
	Figures are not separately available for each London borough.
	
		Numbers of compulsory insolvencies recorded in the London Official Receivers offices, 2002–03 to 2004–05 (22)(23) -- Financial year total
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05(22)(23) 
		
		
			 Bankruptcy Orders 1,562 2,132 4,910 
			 Company Compulsory Liquidations 1,211 823 1,137 
		
	
	(22)Croydon Official Receiver's Office is classified under London Region for 2004–05 only, when it accounted for 1,678 of the 4,910 bankruptcies and 209 of the 1,137 company compulsory liquidations.
	(23)The 2004–05 figures also include Public Interest Unit (PIU) and Carousel, which together amount to 18 bankruptcies and 139 company compulsory liquidations.

Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation of section 60 of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004.

Alun Michael: To date there have been no proceedings in relation to offences covered by section 60 of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004.

End of Life Vehicles Directive

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the UK is on track to meet the January 2006 targets set by the EU end of life vehicles directive.

Malcolm Wicks: The End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005, which transpose the targets in the Directive into national law, place obligations on vehicle producers and, in certain circumstances, Authorised Treatment Facilities, to achieve recovery and recycling of 85 per cent. of the weight of ELVs they scrap during the whole of 2006. A study commissioned by the Department last year established that 75 per cent. of the average weight of ELVs is made up of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and this proportion may be deemed to have been automatically reused or recycled, under the terms of Commission Decision 2005/293/EC, to reflect usual commercial practice. A further 10 per cent. of the weight of ELVs needs therefore to be recovered during 2006. Fluids, including fuel, and tyres, plastics and glass are likely to contribute. Progress will be reviewed during the course of the year to ensure that obligated parties are on course to meet their targets.

Fireworks (Amendment) Bill

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received about the Fireworks (Amendment) Bill; how many (a) supported and (b) opposed the Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have received no representations on this Bill.

Gwynt-y-Mor Wind Farm

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has held with representatives of power renewables concerning the proposed development of the Gwynt-y-Mor wind farm.

Malcolm Wicks: Prior to an application being submitted under the Electricity Act 1989 officials in the Department had various discussions with npower about a proposed generating station at Gwynt-y-Mor. These discussions concerned issues relating to a formal scoping request under regulation 7 of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) England and Wales Regulations 2000 and more recently to matters concerning the making of an application under the Electricity Act and about the administrative processes triggered by such an application.

Industrial Disease Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that industrial disease compensation cheques are paid directly to miners.

Malcolm Wicks: Compensation cheques are made payable to the claimant but sent via the claimant's representative. The claimant's representative is responsible for ensuring that the correct moneys are paid to the claimant and, for deceased claims, that compensation is correctly distributed.

Industrial Disease Compensation

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many pending coal health compensation claims there are in (a) North West Leicestershire, (b) the East Midlands, (c) England, (d) Wales and (e) Scotland involving claimants who worked as miners in both the public and private sectors where settlement is being delayed by lack of agreement with legal advisers to the former private sector employer.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is not readily available. There are nearly 22,000 claims involving co-defendants which have yet to be settled. However, most of the issues preventing progress have been resolved. Consequently, the bulk of these 22,000 claims should be in a position to be processed in accordance with the priority system.

Miners' Compensation

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether agreements between his Department and (a) the Claimants Group Solicitors and (b) the Union of Democratic Mineworkers are effectively identical so far as the payment of compensation to claimants is concerned; and in what ways they differ so far as the claimant is concerned as stated in the Boyd-Smith report.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 11 January 2006
	A claimant would receive the same compensation whichever handling agreement the claim is processed under. The medical assessment process is identical, the evidential burden is the same and the priorities for deciding which claims are processed first do not depend on the handling agreement that applies. There are some procedural differences but neither handling agreement delivers compensation any quicker than the other.

Pregnancy and Maternity

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to set out theemployment legislation relating to pregnancy and maternity for (a) employers and (b) employees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A large amount of information is already available to both employers and employees, including guidance provided by DTI, DWP and HMRC. ACAS provides information through its dedicated helpline as well as through guidance. The information on the Businesslink.gov website is being enhanced to provide employers with more support in managing a pregnancy in the workplace. Information for employees has been drawn together on to the direct.gov website.
	However, in the context of the changes to maternity leave and pay provisions which will follow the Work and Families Bill, DTI, DWP and HMRC will work together to rationalise the guidance on their own websites and ensure there is comprehensive and coherent information available that is easily accessible and properly signposted. This will include Government working with stakeholders to develop the proposal for a leaflet setting out the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees which will be provided at an early stage of a woman's pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Maternity

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to support micro and small businesses to manage pregnancy and maternity within their employee base.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government recognise that small businesses can sometimes face particular difficulties in managing and administering maternity leave and statutory maternity pay (SMP). Additional financial support is available for smaller employers. All employers are able to claim back 92 per cent. of the SMP they pay to their employees but smaller employers—those whose annual national insurance liability is £45,000 or less—are able to claim back 100 per cent. of the SMP they pay out plus an additional 4.5 per cent. Employers are also able to claim this money in advance from HMRC where making the payment would cause them cashflow problems.
	Measures in the work and families package will also offer small employers more practical support. To give employers more certainty in managing maternity leave we will be extending, from 28 days to eight weeks, the amount of notice a woman must give if she is changing her plans about returning from maternity leave. We willalso be clarifying in regulation that an employer may make reasonable contact with a woman during maternity leave. The introduction of keeping in touch days will enable a woman to do some limited days' work activity for her employer. This will support employers and employees in maintaining contact during maternity leave and will help to ease a woman's return to work after maternity leave.
	Government are also changing some of the SMP rules to ease administration for employers. Employers will be able to calculate a daily rate for SMP if this will help them to pay SMP at the same time as a woman's usual payday. Women will be able to choose to begin their maternity leave on any day of the week which will allow maternity leave and pay periods to be fully aligned.
	No employer now needs to calculate SMP manually. From February 2005, HMRC introduced and supplied a new SMP calculate to all employers on its employers CD ROM 2005. HMRC has also improved the SMP calculators on its website. To support those less comfortable with electronic solutions, the HMRC employer's helpline will calculate the SMP amounts and dates payable and the amounts recoverable, and follow this up with prompt reassurance in the form of written confirmation.

Services Directive

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current negotiations on the services directive under the Austrian presidency of the EU.

Ian Pearson: The proposed EU directive on services in the internal market was last discussed in Council at the Competitiveness Council on 28 November 2005. Ministers agreed that good technical progress had been made during the UK presidency, and that they should wait for the opinion of the European Parliament and the Commission's revised proposal before resuming discussions.
	The European Parliament is scheduled to hold its first reading vote on the directive next month. The Commission has recently indicated that it will submit its revised proposal very soon afterwards.
	The Austrian Chancellor has said that he hopes to present a solution on the directive, which is a priority dossier for their presidency. In their joint Operational Programme for 2006 (available at http://www.eu2006at/includes/Download_Dokumente/0512draft_operational programmeEN.pdf), the Finnish and Austrian Governments have stated that they are committed to completing negotiations on the directive.
	The UK Government strongly support the market-opening objectives of the directive and will work closely with the Austrian presidency, other member states and the Commission to take negotiations forward during 2006.

Sunday Trading

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Department has for evaluating the impact of Sunday trading on the family life of employees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DTI will be assessing work-life balance issues as part of its wider evaluation of the impact of further liberalisation of Sunday trading hours.

Telephone Main Lines (Broadband)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many telephone main lines are in use in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) each of the English regions and (d) Northern Ireland; and how many are broadband in each case.

Alun Michael: The information is not available in the form requested, but Ofcom's Communications Market report 2005 showed that in the UK at the end of 2004 there were:
	33.7 million fixed line connections;
	61.2 million mobile connections;
	15.9 million internet connections;
	6.3 million broadband connections.
	By September 2005, the number of broadband connections in the UK had risen to 8.l million 1 . Great progress has been made towards providing broadband access across the UK as a whole, where 99.6 per cent. of households are now connected to a broadband enabled exchange. This is considerable progress against the 2003 (80 per cent.) and 2004 (93 per cent.) figures.
	1 Source:
	Ovum, an analyst and consulting company in the telecommunication sector.

Veterinary Medicines

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to monitor the impact of the recent changes in the prescription of veterinary medicines and accompanying services.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The regulatory impact assessment accompanying the Supply of Relevant Veterinary Medicinal Products Order 2005 sets out that the Office of Fair Trading is responsible for reviewing and monitoring compliance with competition legislation. To achieve this they may request information from a wide range of parties. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is responsible for the changes implemented through the Guide to Professional Conduct.
	The legislation covering the placing on the market and safe use of veterinary medicines in the UK is set out in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/2745) and is the responsibility of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, an agency of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). These regulations will be revoked and replaced annually to ensure that they remain relevant. A regulatory impact assessment will be produced and published to accompany the Regulations and full public consultation will be carried out.
	More generally, DEFRA continually assesses the impact of all factors affecting the veterinary sector, including the effect of new legislation.

Wind Power

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the availability of equipment for wind power projects in relation to the Government's targets for renewable energy.

Malcolm Wicks: The availability of equipment for wind power projects is primarily a matter for wind power developers. However, the Department recognises that the current growth in the worldwide demand for wind turbines is having an impact on UK offshore wind farm developers in particular.
	The Department's 2010 target team is working with developers and suppliers in order to minimise the impact on industry's ability to meet the Government's 2010 renewables target.

Working Time Directive

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on current negotiations on the working time directive under the Austrian presidency of the EU.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Austria has not yet publicly announced formal plans for handling negotiations on the working time directive, however, we would expect the Austrians to aim for political agreement during the next Employment Council in March 2006.

Working Time Directive

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which other EU member states support the UK's position on maintaining its opt-out from the 48-hour week in the working time directive.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A significant number of member states support the retention of the individual right to opt-out from the 48-hour week in the working time directive, including Germany and Poland.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Hospitality Costs

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on hospitality by (a) the Secretary of State and Direct Rule Ministers, (b) Ministers in the Northern Ireland Assembly, (c) the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, (d) the Chief Constable and (e) district commanders in each of the last 10 years; and how much of that was spent on alcohol in each case.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Police Service of Northern Ireland cannot provide the information requested by the hon. Gentleman. To do so would incur disproportionate costs as we cannot easily identify expenditure on hospitality or alcohol for the individuals the hon. Gentleman refers to.

House Prices

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on house prices in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The peace process and the improved economic benefits associated with this have had a major impact on house prices which were, in the past, reasonably stagnant in comparison to the buoyant GB housing market. Many home owners are therefore benefiting from this. Rising house prices can create difficulties for first-time buyers and while Northern Ireland does not have a general affordability problem there are hot spot areas where affordability problems may occur. Recent Government initiatives such as the increase in the threshold at which stamp duty is paid from £60,000 to £120,000 coupled with the recent increase in the level of funding available to the Co-ownership scheme and the changes to the eligibility rules, will play an increasing role in helping those on lower incomes to become home owners.

Limavady Bypass

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes have been made to the Limavady bypass since its opening.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 12 January 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what improvements or changes have been made to the Limavady Bypass since its opening. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Since the Limavady Bypass became operational in July 2003 some minor alterations, involving the realignment of kerbing and road markings, were carried out to provide smoother vehicle paths through priority junctions. Resurfacing work was also carried out on approaches to bridges following anticipated residual settlement of embankments.
	I hope this information is helpful.

PE

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to establish a strategic approach to the development and support of curriculum physical education.

Angela Smith: The Government recognise the importance of physical activity for the long-term health and well-being of the community. Physical education will continue to be a compulsory part of the revised Northern Ireland school curriculum, which the Government plan to introduce from September 2006. The wider aspects of physical activity will be addressed in light of the report of the fit futures taskforce and the review of the physical activity strategy.

Pre-School Provision Report

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Department of Education in Northern Ireland will publish its response to the pre-school review.

Angela Smith: It is anticipated that the response to the review of pre-school education will be published following the announcement of the children and young people fund, which is due shortly.

Primary School (New Construction)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost of constructing a new one-form-of-entry 4 to 11 primary school has been in the last three years.

Angela Smith: In the last three financial years there have been five new seven-classroom primary schools, including two with nursery units, completed in Northern Ireland. The average construction cost was £1.8 million.

Review of Public Administration

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the legislative framework is for the implementation of the Review of Public Administration.

Angela Smith: The Government will be introducing a number of pieces of legislation over the next few years to provide for the implementation of decisions on the Review of Public Administration. Subordinate legislation will be brought forward before Easter to dissolve 18 health and social services trusts and establish five new trusts. It is intended to lay a draft Order in Council before Parliament in the current term to set the context for the review of local government boundaries. Separate Orders in Council will also be brought forward in due course for the further reorganisation of health and personal social services, education and local government structures; to provide for certain of the new or enhanced responsibilities of the new district councils; and, where appropriate, to implement any further decisions on executive agencies and public bodies.

Road Safety

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will move responsibility for all road safety measures in Northern Ireland into one Department; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The Northern Ireland Road Safety Strategy 2002 to 2012 provides an integrated approach to the planning, co-ordination and delivery of Government's road safety activities and it requires the three main statutory bodies with responsibility for road safety in Northern Ireland (the Department of the Environment, the Department for Regional Development's Roads Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland) to work together closely in partnership.
	A road safety steering group, comprising senior management from each of the three partners, is responsible for coordinating delivery of the strategy and ensuring cohesive and complementary education, enforcement and engineering road safety activities.
	These partnership arrangements are working well and are making a significant contribution to casualty reductions and there are no plans at this time to change this approach.

Road Maintenance

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Department for Regional Development Roads maintenance budget expenditure in (a) Limavady and (b) Coleraine borough council areas was in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 12 January 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what the Department for Regional Development Roads maintenance budget expenditure in (a) Limavady and (b) Coleraine Borough Council areas was in each of the last three years.
	I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	The most recent figures available are up to the financial year ended March 2005 and I can confirm that the roads maintenance expenditure in Limavady and Coleraine Borough Council areas in each of the last three years are as detailed in the table below.
	
		£000
		
			 Summary 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Limavady 2,636 3,555 3,156 
			 Coleraine 3,740 5,167 3,960 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.

School Transport Costs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the administration costs of transport were in each Education and Library Board in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available in the required format prior to 2002–03. The Education and Library Boards have, however, incurred the following expenditure in each of the last three years in relation to the administration of the home to school transport service:
	
		
			  BELB NEELB SEELB SELB WELB Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 170,000 195,000 252,000 196,000 429,157 1,242,157 
			 2003–04 223,000 231,000 236,879 367,000 350,979 1,221,858 
			 2004–05 194,000 256,000 178,000 493,000 410,708 1,531,708

School Transport Costs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of home to school transport was in each of the Education and Library Boards in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) board vehicles, (b) translink, (c) taxi hire, (d) mini-buses, (e) bus escorts and (f) other costs.

Angela Smith: The information requested is only available in the required format for the past three years. Also, information is not held relating to the cost of providing escorts. The Education and Library Boards have, however, incurred the following expenditure in each of the last three years.
	
		Belfast Board
		
			  Board vehicles Translink Taxi hire Private operators Other Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 1,647,000 827,000 1,236,000 — 307,000 4,017,000 
			 2003–04 2,338,000 845,000 952,000 105,000 366,000 4,606,000 
			 2004–05 2,268,000 866,000 633,000 346,000 312,000 4,425,000 
		
	
	
		North-Eastern Board
		
			  Board vehicles Translink Taxi hire Private operators Other Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 1,926,000 7,373,000 1,790,000 2,742,000 321,000 14,152,000 
			 2003–04 1,996,000 7,620,000 2,007,000 2,713,000 919,000 15,255,000 
			 2004–05 2,328,000 8,373,000 2,095,000 3,113,000 897,000 16,806,000 
		
	
	
		South-Eastern Board
		
			  Board vehicles Translink Taxi hire Private operators Other Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 1,997,000 6,419,000 2,108,000 807,000 546,000 11,877,000 
			 2003–04 3,058,507 5,917,792 2,656,528 692,803 547,678 12,873,308 
			 2004–05 2,423,000 6,931,000 2,216,000 1,199,000 516,000 13,285,000 
		
	
	
		Southern Board
		
			  Board vehicles Translink Taxi hire Private operators Other Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 4,620,000 5,135,000 1,833,000 3,030,000 223,000 14,841,000 
			 2003–04 3,796,000 5,429,000 1,965,000 3,150,000 876,000 15,216,000 
			 2004–05 4,274,000 5,966,000 2,022,000 3,140,000 965,000 16,367,000 
		
	
	
		Western Board
		
			  Board vehicles Translink Taxi hire Private operators Other Total 
		
		
			 2002–03 5,936,000 3,731,000 694,000 1,175,000 780,614 12,316,614 
			 2003–04 5,244,000 3,731,000 877,000 1,255,000 545,219 11,652,219 
			 2004–05 5,836,553 4,340,631 1,046,192 1,300,316 642,872 13,166,564 
		
	
	Note:
	The 'Other' category includes Strangford and Rathlin ferries, parents' car, Lough Swilly, building maintenance and administration costs.

School Transport Costs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of home-to-college transport was in each of the education and library board areas in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: A detailed breakdown of the Home to College Transport spend in each education and library board, in each of the last five financial years where the information has been validated is as follows:
	
		
			  BELB NEELB SEELB SELB WELB 
		
		
			 1999–2000 117,694 797,987 1,057,726 1,185,317 548,000 
			 2000–01 131,844 914,672 1,033,867 1,012,821 563,941 
			 2001–02 127,404 911,387 688,830 1,068,282 617,838 
			 2002–03 106,233 932,185 675,954 1,036,222 611,289 
			 2003–04 105,832 891,382 662,911 1,032,752 690,147

Stormont Spy Ring

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) police and (b) prison personnel in each parliamentary constituency were informed that they had to move from their homes following the collapse of the Stormont spy ring prosecutions.

Shaun Woodward: PSNI has advised that no police officers have applied for special purchase evacuated dwellings (SPED) as a result of the 'Stormontgate' case.
	The police will only advise people of threats to their personal safety and cannot force anyone to move house. The decision to apply for SPED is for the individual alone to make.
	The NI Prison Service advises that a total of 451 prison officers relocated under the assisted home removal scheme. As with the PSNI, the decision to move rests solely with the individual.

Student Finance

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students will lose funding support as a result of the decision to withdraw funding for post-graduate diplomas in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The decision to withdraw funding did not affect students already in receipt of an award.

Sub-regional Transportation Plan

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations took place on the formulation of the sub-regional transportation plan in respect of the towns of Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of the Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 12 January 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what consultations took place on the formulation of the Sub-Regional Transportation Plan in respect of the towns of Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	The preparation of the Sub-Regional Transport Plan has been supported by some 29 local transport studies of towns and cities across Northern Ireland, including those for Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle. These studies have been undertaken by independent consultants, working to a standard brief prepared by Roads Service, and their management has included interdepartmental liaison and participation of Translink. The consultants have worked closely with Roads Service Divisional staff and have taken full account of their local knowledge of the issues developed over the years through regular consultation with the Councils and contact with the general public.
	As you will also be aware, the Draft Ards and Down Area Plan 2015 was published in December 2002. Consultation on the Area Plan, which includes Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle, involved the production of an Issues Paper in December 2000 and a series of public meetings facilitated and reported by Community Technical Aid. The consultation included transportation matters.
	In preparing the Draft Sub-Regional Transport Plan, Roads Service had intended that an emerging blueprint, detailing the likely improvements in each local area, would have been available prior to Christmas. However, due to the draft NI Priorities and Budget 2006/08 and the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland announcements in December, and their potential impact, it was decided to defer issuing the blueprints until the New Year. The Councils were advised accordingly.
	It is our intention to produce the Draft Sub-Regional Transport for formal consultation in March 2006, with the final Plan to be published in December 2006 and it is still Roads Service's intention to provide District Councils with sight of the blueprints for their respective towns, in advance of the formal consultation.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Sustainable Development

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what parts of his Department's estate will not be covered by the commitments set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.

Angela Smith: The Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate does not apply to devolved Administrations.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial investment he plans to make in the Water Service.

Shaun Woodward: The Priorities and Budget document published on 20 December 2004 provides for the following levels of investment in the Water Service:
	
		£ million
		
			  2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 
		
		
			 Current investment 110.4 114.7 112.4 
			 Capital investment 279.5 228.8 224.4 
			 Total investment 389.9 343.5 336.8

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Darfur

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Sudan regarding the removal from their posts of regional administrators and mid-ranking military personnel who are suspected of committing war crimes in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We have consistently made clear that those responsible for war crimes in Darfur must be brought to justice. We have called on the Sudanese Government to investigate those believed to be responsible for war crimes. We are encouraging anyone with information on the perpetrators of war crimes to pass it to the Sanctions Committee and the International Criminal Court for consideration in their work under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1591 and 1593.

Darfur

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Administration regarding the restoration of funding for the African Union force in Darfur removed from the US's Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill 2006.

Ian Pearson: We are in regular and close contact with the US and other donors to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to ensure that the mission's funding requirements are met. The US Senate did propose an Amendment to the 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill to provide $50 million to AMIS, but for technical reasons this Amendment was not agreed. The US Administration and key members of Congress have assured us that they remain committed to continuing to support and help fund AMIS. Currently, the United States funds vital camp, vehicle, and communications operations and maintenance for the 34 AMIS camps as well as 14 contract Military Observers. Congress has not yet completed its budgetary processes, so there will be other opportunities for additional US funding for AMIS to be agreed. There are also alternative sources of funding within the US State Department which could be used to help finance AMIS.

Darfur

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the International Criminal Court on investigating and prosecuting (a) state governors, (b) provincial commissioners and (c) individuals in the formal military chain of command responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: The Government have consistently made clear that those responsible for the terrible crimes committed in Darfur should be brought to justice. The UK sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1593, referring the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Prosecutor of the ICC began a formal investigation on 6 June 2005.
	It is for the ICC to consider the evidence and to make decisions regarding the indictment of specific individuals. The UK is committed to respect the Prosecutor's independence. Ministers and officials, in their contacts with ICC, have underlined that the UK remains a strong supporter-in principle and in practice-of the Court's work.

Darfur

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Government of Sudan's co-operation with the work of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: On 13 December 2005, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, presented a report to the UN Security Council on the progress of his Office's investigation into the situation in Darfur. The report, available at www.icc-cpi.int/home.html stated that the Office had made good progress in the investigation's first phase, and noted that the next phase would seek the further assistance and co-operation of the Government of Sudan.
	However, also on 13 December 2005, the Sudanese Justice Minister made comments suggesting that the ICC would not be allowed to enter Darfur to conduct investigations.
	In response, on 14 December 2005, my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, said:
	UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1593 referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC and called upon all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to co-operate with the ICC investigation. This referral sent a strong signal to the world at large that there can be no impunity for those guilty of grave human rights abuses. I am therefore deeply concerned to hear the recent statement by Sudan's Justice Minister, Muhammad Ali al-Mardi, that Sudan will not allow investigators from the ICC into Darfur. We expect the Government of Sudan to comply with all the wishes of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1593 and cooperate fully with the ICC should it decide to visit Darfur."
	The Government will continue to support the ICC as it takes forward its investigation, and to maintain pressure on all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to provide full co-operation as requested by the ICC.

Darfur

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan concerning its decision not to allow international investigators into Darfur; and if he will continue to seek the Government of Sudan's agreement to sign up to the International Criminal Court.

Ian Pearson: In a statement issued on 14 December 2005, available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c= Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid= l133774576642 my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, said:
	UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1593 referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and called upon all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to co-operate with the ICC investigation. This referral sent a strong signal to the world at large that there can be no impunity for those guilty of grave human rights abuses. I am therefore deeply concerned to hear the recent statement by Sudan's Justice Minister, Muhammed Ali al-Mardi, that Sudan will not allow investigators from the ICC into Darfur. We expect the Government of Sudan to comply with all the wishes of the international community as set out in UNSCR 1593 and cooperate fully with the ICC should it decide to visit Darfur."
	On 21 December 2005, the British ambassador to Sudan met with Vice President Taha of Sudan and also emphasised the importance of co-operation with the ICC.
	The Government will continue to support the ICC as it takes forward its investigation, and to maintain pressure on all parties, including the Government of Sudan, to provide full co-operation in response to any ICC request.
	Sudan is a signatory to the Rome Statute of the ICC but has not yet ratified the Statute. The UK believes in a strong ICC with global membership and jurisdiction that can help bring an end to the culture of impunity for the worst crimes against humanity including genocide and other war crimes. To this end, we urge Sudan to ratify the Rome Statute.

Ethiopia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of respect for human rights in Ethiopia; and what recent discussions he has had on this with the Government of Ethiopia.

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned about the human rights situation in Ethiopia and regularly raise those concerns with the Ethiopian Government. My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, did so most recently during his visit to Ethiopia on 17 December when he discussed the current political crisis with Prime Minister Meles.
	We will continue to work with the Government of Ethiopia, the international community and other stakeholders to help further progress on human rights and governance issues.

Illegal Weapons Trade

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which (a) Ministers and (b) departmental officials will attend the review meeting of the United Nations programme of action to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Kim Howells: We expect the UK delegation to the Review Conference to be made up of Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development officials led by our senior Ambassador on disarmament issues.

Indonesia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to urge the Government of Indonesia (a) to refrain from executing and (b) to release the three Christians imprisoned and sentenced to death in Sulawesi; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: On 14 November 2005, the UK expressed to the Indonesian Government the EU's regret at the decision to carry out the executions, and urged the Indonesian Government to refrain from carrying out the executions, and to consider the abolition of the death penalty.

Indonesia

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what recent research his Department has commissioned on (a) religious discrimination, (b) church closures and (c) violence in West Java.

Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not commissioned any specific research on religious discrimination, church closures and violence in West Java. However, we continually monitor the situation.
	We welcome the fact that President Yudhoyono issued an instruction in December 2005 to his Cabinet Secretary, instructing him to ensure that no more places of worship are closed and to assist congregations which no longer have a place of worship.

Indonesia

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from religious minorities in Indonesia; and what plans he has to discuss religious minority rights with the Indonesian Government.

Ian Pearson: Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our embassy in Jakarta meet regularly with Indonesian religious minority representatives.
	We discuss the rights of religious minorities with the Indonesian authorities regularly, as part of our on-going dialogue. In September this year, President Yudhoyono stressed that the state guaranteed every citizen religious freedom and called on the police and members of the public to act to prevent violence against any faith. The UK co-sponsored with the Indonesian Government in Bali, in July 2005, an international conference to promote inter-faith understanding and harmony. We will continue to co-operate with them on this important objective.

Israel

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has had and (b) is planning to have discussions with the Israeli Government about UK business contracts that might include transactions in East or West Jerusalem.

Ian Pearson: We have been in contact with the Israeli Government in the past in support of UK companies seeking business in Israel. However, it is the Government's policy that we will not support companies seeking contracts that involve work in East Jerusalem.

Niger

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations he has made to the Niger Government concerning the attacks upon Christian students by Muslim extremists in Niger state on 21 September at the Bosso campus of the Federal University of Technology at Minna;
	(2)  what representations he has made to the Niger Government concerning the attacks on Christians by Muslim extremists on 26 October at Tungan Rogo village in Niger state.

Ian Pearson: We are concerned by all incidents of inter-religious conflict and violence in Nigeria. We raise incidents with the relevant Federal and State authorities when they are brought to our attention and verified.
	Representatives from the British high commission in Abuja repeatedly speak to senior Nigerian Christian and Muslim religious leaders about these issues. They have also spoken to one of the most senior Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria, who is not aware of the specific incidents in Niger State that my hon. Friend refers to.
	We also fund projects to build trust between the various religious communities in Nigeria. We are funding the work of the International Centre for Reconciliation to promote understanding between Christians and Muslims in Plateau State. The Department for International Development are also working in two of the states most affected by ethno-religious unrest, Benue and Jigawa.

Religious Freedom

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to promote and protect religious freedom as a central objective of foreign diplomacy.

Ian Pearson: Promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) policy. This includes a commitment to religious freedom throughout the world. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. We urge all states to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and protect religious minorities from persecution. The FCO's Annual Report on Human Rights, which was laid before the House on 21 July 2005, provides some further information on the work that we have done in this area.

Su Su Nwe

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Government of Myanmar regarding the detention of Su Su Nwe.

Ian Pearson: Our ambassador in Rangoon raised the detention of Su Su Nwe, and that of other prisoners of conscience, when she met the Burmese Interior Minister on 26 October 2005 and Burmese Foreign and Labour Ministers on 31 October 2005.
	We will continue to raise her case with the Burmese authorities.

UN Convention Against Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2496W, on the UN Convention Against Corruption, how many written representations his Department has received from (a) businesses, (b) business organisations and (c) non-governmental organisations on the UK signing and ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption; and how many of these stated that they were intended to remain confidential between the parties involved.

Ian Pearson: Due to the number of contacts, their diverse range, the varied nature of representations and the lengthy consultation period on this issue it is not practically possible to identify and list all written representations from all businesses, business organisations and non-governmental organisations. It is therefore also not possible to identify which of those representations stated that they were to remain confidential.

UN Security Council Resolutions

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports the proposal for a United Nations Security Council resolution by Vaclav Havel and Desmond Tutu in their report A Threat to the Peace".

Kim Howells: We fully support any action in the United Nations, including in the UN Security Council, which would help to promote reform and positive change in Burma. UN Security Council members discussed the situation in Burma on 16 December. The United Kingdom took an active role in this discussion, raising our concerns about human rights abuses, including the detention of political prisoners, internal conflicts and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Claimants

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of Welsh claimants of (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) income support and (c) incapacity benefit returned to work in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No. 244—Destination of benefit leavers 2004—showed that nationally, 62 per cent. of claimants leaving income support, incapacity benefit or jobseeker's allowance entered employment of 16 hours or more a week. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

Carers Allowance

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons levels of carers allowance reduce when carers reach pensionable age.

Anne McGuire: The payment of carers allowance is affected by the award of other social security benefits such as state pension, bereavement allowance and incapacity benefit, rather than simply reaching pension age. The reason why a carers allowance is not paid in full together with that other benefit is because they are both paid for income maintenance, and paying both benefits in full would duplicate provision for the same need. In practice the personal contributory benefit is paid in full and the carers allowance is adjusted against it. Where carers allowance is overlapped in full, the person maintains an underlying entitlement to the benefit which, in turn, gives them access to the carer premium in the income-related benefits, such as income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, and to the carers additional amount in pension credit.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been non-compliant with their Child Support Agency assessment in each quarter since Q1 1996; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 17 November 2005
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 12 January 2006
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have been non-compliant with their Child Support Agency assessment in each quarter since Q1 1996; and if he will make a statement.
	The information requested is provided in the table attached.
	It should be noted that, whilst the number of non-compliant cases has nearly doubled between February 1996 and August 2005, the Child Support Agency's caseload has also increased significantly over this period. Over the same period, the Agency's case compliance rate has increased from 58 to 70 per cent.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		Child Support Agency collection service cases compliance status February 1996 to August 2005
		
			 Quarter ending Number of non compliant cases 
		
		
			 February 1996 66,000 
			 May 1996 65,000 
			 August 1996 67,000 
			 November 1996 70,000 
			 February 1997 70,000 
			 May 1997 68,000 
			 August 1997 70,000 
			 November 1997 73,000 
			 February 1998 76,000 
			 May 1998 81,000 
			 August 1998 87,000 
			 November 1998 91,000 
			 February 1999 97,000 
			 May 1999 99,000 
			 August 1999 101,000 
			 November 1999 104,000 
			 February 2000 106,000 
			 May 2000 104,000 
			 August 2000 105,000 
			 November 2000 104,000 
			 February 2001 104,000 
			 May 2001 101,000 
			 August 2001 101,000 
			 November 2001 101,000 
			 February 2002 99,000 
			 May 2002 92,000 
			 August 2002 90,000 
			 November 2002 91,000 
			 February 2003 90,000 
			 May 2003 — 
			 August 2003 — 
			 November 2003 — 
			 February 2004 — 
			 May 2004 121,000 
			 August 2004 123,000 
			 November 2004 124,000 
			 February 2005 126,000 
			 May 2005 123,000 
			 August 2005 125,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.
	2.Robust information covering the period May 2003 to February 2004 is not currently available.
	3.Compliance is defined as all those cases which are open and have paid money, either regular maintenance and/or arrears via the collection service over the preceding quarter.
	4.The above includes only those old scheme cases with a full maintenance assessment, and those new scheme cases with either a full maintenance calculation, or a default maintenance decision. Old scheme cases with a punitive interim maintenance assessment are excluded from this analysis in line with the agency's target definition.

Health-related Benefit Claims

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many health-related benefit claims by the working age population (a) were made in 2004–05 and (b) have been made in 2005–06 in (i) England, (ii)the West Midlands and (iii) Stoke-on-Trent.

Anne McGuire: Information is not available in the format requested. The most recent available information on the number of recipients of health-related benefits is in the table.
	
		Working age recipients of incapacity benefit (IB); severe disablement benefit (SDA); industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB); reduced earnings allowance (REA); retirement allowance (RA); income support disability premium (ISDP); or disability living allowance (DLA), by area
		
			 Area IB/SDA IIDB/REA/RA(24)(25) ISDP DLA 
		
		
			 England 2,201,500 154,500 913,300 1,288,200 
			 West Midlands GOR 247,300 17,500 99,900 149,100 
			 Stoke-on-Trent North parliamentary constituency 5,800 600 2,300 3,000 
			 Stoke-on-Trent city council area 19,500 2,000 7,400 10,500 
		
	
	(24)IIDB and REA/RA figures are at March 2005, all others are at May 2005.
	(25)A customer may be in receipt of either industrial injuries disablement benefit or reduced earnings allowance/retirement allowance or both.
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2.IB/SDA 'Claimant' figures include all IB and SDA (including IB credits only cases).
	3.DLA totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study100 per cent. data and Industrial Injuries Computer System 100 per cent. count.

Incapacity Benefit

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people receiving incapacity benefit who are no longer incapable of working.

Anne McGuire: Incapacity benefit is paid to those who are unable to work because of sickness or disability. For the benefit to remain in payment once the claimant was no longer incapable of to work would be the result of a fraud or an error.
	The level of fraud and error in incapacity benefit was last measured in 2001 at which time it was estimated that the amount of fraud and error combined amounted to less than two percent of the total expenditure.

Industrial Injuries Scheme

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of administering industrial injuries benefit in 2004–05.

Margaret Hodge: The latest estimate of the cost of administering industrial injury benefits, for the year ending 31 March 2005, is £14 million.

Jobcentre Plus

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the charge per minute is of telephoning the Jobcentre Plus contact centre from (a) a land line and (b) from each mobile phone network; and what the average call duration has been in the last 12 months.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 20 December 2005
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 12 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what the charge per minute is of phoning the Jobcentre Plus contact centre from (a) a land line and (b) from each mobile phone network; and what the average call duration has been in the last 12 months. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	To make a claim, the customer calls a contact centre. Contact centre staff ask the customer a series of questions to assess their potential eligibility to Jobcentre Plus benefits and then arrange to call the customer back at a mutually agreed time, to assist in completion of a claim form. This allows the customers to provide information over the phone, rather than completing a lengthy form.
	Jobcentre Plus contact centres use 0845 numbers—which is equivalent to local rate when customers use a BT landline. The charge per minute will depend on the service/tariff that customers have signed up to with their phone provider. Customers using mobile telephones or other landline networks are charged at their network provider's normal tariff for 0845 calls.
	The average length of an inbound call is 11 minutes. BT call prices for 0845 numbers vary dependent on the time the customer calls, and can range from 1p to 3p per minute. Based on this information the cost of the inbound call using a BT line would be on average between 11p & 33p. Customers can also use warm phones" in local Jobcentre Plus offices to call the contact centre free of charge.
	To complete the information gathering process for a customer's claim to benefit, a call is made from the contact centre to the customer. There is no cost to the customer for this call.

New Deal

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of public expenditure on the new deal for each year from 1997–98 to 2008–09; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The available information is in the following table.
	
		New deal expenditure -- £ million
		
			   Amount 
		
		
			 1997–98 Outturn 43 
			 1998–99 Outturn 314 
			 1999–2000 Outturn 536 
			 2000–01 Outturn 596 
			 2001–02 Outturn 672 
			 2002–03 Outturn 736 
			 2003–04 Outturn 655 
			 2004–05 Outturn 639 
			 2005–06 Forecast outturn 557 
			 2006–07 Plans 536 
			 2007–08 Plans 538 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures comprise: programme expenditure; allowance payments, and the New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit (which was subsumed in the Working Tax Credit from 2003–04).
	2.Figures also include total administrative expenditure up to 2002–03 but only the staff cost element of administrative expenditure from 2003–04.
	3.Figures for 2006–07 and 2007–08 are indicative and subject to change.
	4.Figures for 2008–09 are not available.
	Source:
	DWP Financial Strategy Division

Older Workers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of (a) men and (b) women aged between 50 years and state pension age who (i) changed jobs, (ii)changed careers, (iii) reduced their hours of work, (iv) took up educational courses, (v) retired early due to ill-health and (vi) retired early for reasons other than ill-health over the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Number of people aged 50 to state pension age changing occupation or employer since 1986
		
			  Changed occupation or employer in last year Changed occupation in last year 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 135,000 76,000 211,000 102,000 59,000 160,000 
			 1987 157,000 89,000 246,000 119,000 72,000 191,000 
			 1988 184,000 99,000 283,000 142,000 79,000 222,000 
			 1989 217,000 128,000 345,000 167,000 103,000 270,000 
			 1990 227,000 131,000 358,000 175,000 98,000 273,000 
			 1991 197,000 113,000 309,000 141,000 90,000 232,000 
			 1992 169,000 91,000 260,000 127,000 68,000 195,000 
			 1993 152,000 91,000 242,000 115,000 65,000 180,000 
			 1994 154,000 98,000 252,000 108,000 75,000 182,000 
			 1995 179,000 108,000 287,000 129,000 83,000 212,000 
			 1996 192,000 113,000 306,000 133,000 75,000 207,000 
			 1997 221,000 118,000 339,000 158,000 85,000 243,000 
			 1998 213,000 138,000 352,000 148,000 100,000 248,000 
			 1999 223,000 135,000 358,000 157,000 97,000 254,000 
			 2000 230,000 145,000 375,000 153,000 114,000 268,000 
			 2001(26) 238,000 155,000 393,000 110,000 74,000 184,000 
			 2002 227,000 147,000 374,000 109,000 69,000 179,000 
			 2003 225,000 133,000 359,000 100,000 65,000 165,000 
			 2004 237,000 155,000 392,000 112,000 75,000 188,000 
			 2005 240,000 150,000 391,000 114,000 77,000 191,000 
		
	
	(26)Since 2001, it has been necessary to use a different method to assess whether people have changed occupation. Direct comparisons can therefore not be made with figures in previous years.
	Notes:
	1.The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey of private households, student halls of residence and NHS accommodation and is subject to statistical variation.
	2.Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		Percentage of people aged 50 to state pension age changing occupation or employer since 1986
		
			  Changed occupation or employer in last year Changed occupation in last year 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 3.1 2.6 2.9 2.4 2.0 2.2 
			 1987 3.7 3.0 3.4 2.8 2.4 2.6 
			 1988 4.3 3.3 3.9 3.3 2.7 3.1 
			 1989 5.1 4.3 4.8 3.9 3.5 3.7 
			 1990 5.3 4.5 5.0 4.1 3.3 3.8 
			 1991 4.7 3.9 4.3 3.3 3.1 3.2 
			 1992 4.0 3.1 3.6 3.0 2.3 2.7 
			 1993 3.6 3.1 3.4 2.7 2.2 2.5 
			 1994 3.6 3.2 3.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 
			 1995 4.1 3.5 3.9 3.0 2.7 2.9 
			 1996 4.4 3.6 4.1 3.0 2.4 2.7 
			 1997 4.9 3.6 4.3 3.5 2.6 3.1 
			 1998 4.6 4.1 4.4 3.2 3.0 3.1 
			 1999 4.7 3.9 4.4 3.3 2.8 3.1 
			 2000 4.7 4.1 4.5 3.2 3.2 3.2 
			 2001(27) 4.9 4.3 4.6 2.3 2.0 2.2 
			 2002 4.6 4.0 4.3 2.2 1.9 2.1 
			 2003 4.5 3.6 4.1 2.0 1.8 1.9 
			 2004 4.7 4.2 4.5 2.2 2.0 2.1 
			 2005 4.7 4.0 4.4 2.2 2.1 2.2 
		
	
	(27)Since 2001, it has been necessary to use a different method to assess whether people have changed occupation. Direct comparisons can therefore not be made with figures in previous years.
	Note:
	The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and is subject to statistical variation.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		Number of people between 50 and state pension age who reduced their working hours and number of people who have taken up educational courses since 1986
		
			  Reduced working hours(28) Engaged on educational course(29) 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 16,000 31,000 47,000 — — — 
			 1987 23,000 26,000 49,000 — — — 
			 1988 23,000 26,000 48,000 — — — 
			 1989 31,000 32,000 63,000 — — — 
			 1990 29,000 38,000 67,000 — — — 
			 1991 34,000 34,000 68,000 — — — 
			 1992 32,000 29,000 61,000 — — — 
			 1993 38,000 30,000 68,000 — — — 
			 1994 32,000 30,000 63,000 — — — 
			 1995 32,000 37,000 70,000 45,000 53,000 98,000 
			 1996 35,000 39,000 74,000 61,000 52,000 113,000 
			 1997 41,000 50,000 91,000 58,000 62,000 120,000 
			 1998 43,000 55,000 98,000 51,000 67,000 118,000 
			 1999 42,000 44,000 86,000 69,000 87,000 156,000 
			 2000 48,000 51,000 99,000 82,000 107,000 189,000 
			 2001 50,000 58,000 107,000 95,000 128,000 223,000 
			 2002 54,000 56,000 110,000 82,000 124,000 206,000 
			 2003 59,000 57,000 115,000 90,000 136,000 226,000 
			 2004 64,000 64,000 128,000 101,000 142,000 243,000 
			 2005 64,000 52,000 116,000 87,000 125,000 212,000 
		
	
	(28)Consists of people who were in full time work a year before the survey interview but were in part-time work at the time of interview.
	(29)Consists of people who did not report being engaged on an educational course a year before the survey interview but were on a course at the time of interview.
	Notes:
	1.Information on people enrolling on educational courses is not available prior to 1995.
	2.Data do not include people who enrolled on leisure courses or those who participated on short courses within the year ending before the survey interview.
	3.The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and is subject to statistical variation.
	4.Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		Percentage of people between 50 and state pension age who reduced their working hours and number of people who have taken up educational courses since 1986
		
			  Reduced working hours(30) Enrolled on educational course(31) 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 0.4 1.0 0.6 — — — 
			 1987 0.5 0.9 0.7 — — — 
			 1988 0.5 0.9 0.7 — — — 
			 1989 0.7 1.1 0.9 — — — 
			 1990 0.7 1.3 0.9 — — — 
			 1991 0.8 1.2 1.0 — — — 
			 1992 0.8 1.0 0.9 — — — 
			 1993 0.9 1.0 0.9 — — — 
			 1994 0.8 1.0 0.9 — — — 
			 1995 0.7 1.2 0.9 1.0 1.7 1.3 
			 1996 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.4 1.7 1.5 
			 1997 0.9 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.9 1.5 
			 1998 0.9 1.6 1.2 1.1 2.0 1.5 
			 1999 0.9 1.3 1.1 1.5 2.5 1.9 
			 2000 1.0 1.4 1.2 1.7 3.0 2.3 
			 2001 1.0 1.6 1.3 2.0 3.6 2.6 
			 2002 1.1 1.5 1.3 1.7 3.4 2.4 
			 2003 1.2 1.5 1.3 1.8 3.7 2.6 
			 2004 1.3 1.7 1.5 2.0 3.8 2.8 
			 2005 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.7 3.3 2.4 
		
	
	(30)Consists of people who were in full time work a year before the survey interview but were in part-time work at the time of interview.
	(31)Consists of people who did not report being engaged on an educational course a year before the survey interview but were on a course at the time of interview.
	Notes:
	1.Information on people enrolling on educational courses is not available prior to 1995.
	2.Data do not include people who enrolled on leisure courses or those who participated on short courses within the year ending before the survey interview.
	3.The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and is subject to statistical variation.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		Number of people between 50 and state pension age recorded as retiring early due to ill health and number of people recorded as retiring early for other reasons
		
			  Number of people in work a year earlier now recorded as being inactive due to long-term sickness or disability Number of people in work a year earlier now recorded as being inactive due to retirement or not needing/ wanting work 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 39,000 12,000 51,000 76,000 49,000 125,000 
			 1987 47,000 12,000 60,000 70,000 41,000 112,000 
			 1988 30,000 16,000 45,000 49,000 39,000 88,000 
			 1989 32,000 15,000 47,000 54,000 39,000 93,000 
			 1990 30,000 14,000 44,000 58,000– 43,000 101,000 
			 1991 32,000 14,000 46,000 63,000 47,000 110,000 
			 1992 — 18,000 — — 28,000 — 
			 1993 59,000 16,000 75,000 58,000 33,000 91,000 
			 1994 48,000 22,000 70,000 43,000 32,000 75,000 
			 1995 40,000 22,000 62,000 47,000 24,000 71,000 
			 1996 30,000 19,000 50,000 40,000 37,000 77,000 
			 1997 35,000 21,000 56,000 51,000 33,000 84,000 
			 1998 23,000 21,000 44,000 61,000 39,000 100,000 
			 1999 29,000 17,000 46,000 59,000 32,000 91,000 
			 2000 29,000 16,000 45,000 52,000 34,000 86,000 
			 2001 28,000 18,000 46,000 62,000 32,000 93,000 
			 2002 33,000 18,000 50,000 63,000 28,000 91,000 
			 2003 25,000 13,000 38,000 54,000 24,000 77,000 
			 2004 24,000 16,000 40,000 58,000 29,000 87,000 
			 2005 27,000 14,000 41,000 49,000 30,000 79,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Consists of individuals who recall being in work or laid off or on short-time working one year earlier, who said they were now economically inactive due to long-term sickness or disability in particular year. These individuals are not necessarily 'retired' and could have subsequently returned to work.
	2.Consists of individuals who recall being in work or laid off or on short-time working one year earlier, who said they were now economically inactive due to being retired or not needing or wanting work. Some of these individuals may have left their last job due to sickness or disability.
	3.Information for men and for the 'All' category in1992 is not included as data are not available on the categories of economic inactivity for 60 to 64-year-old men at this point.
	4.The structure of the economic activity questions on the Labour Force Survey was changed in 1992 and data may not necessarily be entirely consistent with future years.
	5.The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and is subject to statistical variation.
	6.Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		
			  Percentage of people in work a year earlier now recorded as being inactive due to long-term sickness or disability Percentage of people in work a year earlier now recorded as being inactive due to retirement or not needing/ wanting work 
			  Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 1986 0.9 0.4 0.7 1.8 1.7 1.7 
			 1987 1.1 0.4 0.8 1.6 1.4 1.5 
			 1988 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.1 1.3 1.2 
			 1989 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.3 1.3 1.3 
			 1990 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 
			 1991 0.8 0.5 0.7 1.5 1.6 1.5 
			 1992 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.9 0.0 
			 1993 1.4 0.5 1.0 1.4 1.1 1.3 
			 1994 1.1 0.7 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 
			 1995 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.1 0.8 1.0 
			 1996 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.0 
			 1997 0.8 0.7 0.7 1.1 1.0 1.1 
			 1998 0.5 0.6 0.6 1.3 1.1 1.2 
			 1999 0.6 0.5 0.6 1.2 0.9 1.1 
			 2000 0.6 0.5 0.5 1.1 1.0 1.0 
			 2001 0.6 0.5 0.5 1.3 0.9 1.1 
			 2002 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.3 0.8 1.1 
			 2003 0.5 0.3 0.4 1.1 0.6 0.9 
			 2004 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.1 0.8 1.0 
			 2005 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.0 0.8 0.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Consists of individuals who recall being in work or laid off or on short-time working one year earlier, who said they were now economically inactive due to long-term sickness or disability in particular year. These individuals are not necessarily 'retired' and could have subsequently returned to work.
	2.Consists of individuals who recall being in work or laid off or on short-time working one year earlier, who said they were now economically inactive due to being retired or not needing or wanting work. Some of these individuals may have left their last job due to sickness or disability.
	3.Information for men and for the 'All' category in1992 is not included as data are not available on the categories of economic inactivity for 60 to 64-year-old men at this point.
	4.The structure of the economic activity questions on the Labour Force Survey was changed in 1992 and data may not necessarily be entirely consistent with future years.
	5.The Labour Force Survey is a sample survey and is subject to statistical variation.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey

Pathways to Work

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what cost benefit analysis has been carried out with regard to the pathways to work pilot scheme.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is in Working Paper Incapacity Benefit Reforms—Pathways to Work Pilots performance and analysis" a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	The pathways to work districts are piloting new measures and innovative approaches to helping people with long term illnesses or a disability to return to work. As pilot schemes, they are designed to test whether alternative approaches may be more effective than existing measures.
	Early results show off-flows from incapacity benefit at six months of around 48 per cent. in the pilot areas compared with around 40 per cent. nationally, an improvement of eight percentage points, resulting in a reduction in the incapacity benefit caseload which more than pays for the additional costs of the pilots.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls to the Pension Credit Application line were (a) received, (b) answered, (c) engaged and (d) hung up on in the weeks commencing (i) 17 October, (ii) 24 October and (iii) 31 October; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The administration of The Pension Service is a matter for the Chief Executive, Ms Alexis Cleveland. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Alexis Cleveland, dated 12 January 2006
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many calls made to the Pension Credit Application line were (a) received (b) answered (c) engaged and (d) hung up on in the weeks commencing (i) 17 October (ii)24 October (iii) 31 October; and if he will make a statement. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of The Pension Service.
	The table shows the information, as requested. As you are aware, the number of calls received by the Pension Credit Application Line in the weeks selected was exceptionally high as a result of a new marketing approach. Even so, in the worst affected week, we were still able to answer 65 per cent. of the calls available. In addition, we have included figures for the week commencing 12 December 2005. These are indicative of our current telephony performance (calls answered were 81 per cent. of those available).
	The Pension Credit Application Line uses an automated filter, the Auto Attendant, when experiencing high volumes of calls. At times when this is required, customers who wish to make a claim for Pension Credit are advised by the Auto Attendant that they will be put through to the call queue. The automated message advises all other callers of the high call volumes and they are given the option to call again (during opening hours) or to contact their local Pension Centre, for which the correct telephone number is provided. When the auto attendant is not operating, callers receive a standard greeting message, during which they may abandon their call (for instance if they have dialled a wrong number).
	
		
			  (i) Inbound calls (ii) Receiving engaged tone (iii) Calls available to be answered having been filtered to the queue by the auto attendant (when in use) (iv) Of (iii), calls abandoned (v) Of (iii) calls answered 
		
		
			 17 October 2005 31,940 0 25,714 4,596 21,066 
			 24 October 2005 207,346 0 53,755 18,772 34,974 
			 31 October 2005 133,852 2 56,476 16,547 39,917 
			 12 December 2005 30,303 0 30,303 5,831 24,467 
		
	
	Note:
	There is discrepancy in the calls answered total due to missing calls. This arises due to a small amount of calls not registering on the IT system correctly.
	I hope this information is helpful

Pensioner Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent (a) in cash terms, (b) at current prices and (c) as a share of gross domestic product on (i) the basic state pension, (ii) pension credit, minimum income guarantee or income support for the elderly and (iii) all pensioner benefits in each year since 1992–93; what the estimate is for each year to the end of the public expenditure planning period; and how many pensioners were in receipt of each benefit in each year.

Stephen Timms: The available information regarding the figures requested on pensions is in the table as follows.
	
		1. Basic state pension
		
			  £ million Share of GDP 
			  Cash terms Current prices (percentage) 
		
		
			 1992–93 25,364 34,806 4.1 
			 1993–94 26,546 35,520 4.1 
			 1994–95 26,859 35,395 3.9 
			 1995–96 27,740 35,559 3.8 
			 1996–97 29,239 36,201 3.8 
			 1997–98 30,391 36,547 3.7 
			 1998–99 31,914 37,408 3.7 
			 1999–2000 33,378 38,369 3.6 
			 2000–01 33,986 38,564 3.5 
			 2001–02 36,565 40,490 3.6 
			 2002–03 38,469 41,287 3.6 
			 2003–04 39,828 41,641 3.6 
			 2004–05 41,389 42,373 3.5 
			 2005–06 43,055 43,055 3.5 
			 2006–07 44,829 43,753 3.5 
			 2007–08 46,966 44,652 3.4 
		
	
	
		2. Pension credit, minimum income guarantee or income support
		
			  £ million Share of GDP 
			  Cash terms Current prices (percentage) 
		
		
			 1992–93 3,687 5,059 0.6 
			 1993–94 3,894 5,210 0.6 
			 1994–95 3,925 5,173 0.6 
			 1995–96 3,841 4,924 0.5 
			 1996–97 3,764 4,660 0.5 
			 1997–98 3,721 4,475 0.5 
			 1998–99 3,566 4,180 0.4 
			 1999–2000 3,725 4,283 0.4 
			 2000–01 4,035 4,578 0.4 
			 2001–02 4,417 4,891 0.4 
			 2002–03 4,405 4,728 0.4 
			 2003–04 4,851 5,072 0.4 
			 2004–05 5,997 6,140 0.5 
			 2005–06 6,457 6,457 0.5 
			 2006–07 7,059 6,889 0.5 
			 2007–08 7,817 7,432 0.6 
		
	
	
		3. All pensioner benefits
		
			  £ million Share of GDP 
			  Cash terms Current prices (percentage) 
		
		
			 1992–93 35,387 48,559 5.8 
			 1993–94 37,811 50,594 5.8 
			 1994–95 38,723 51,030 5.6 
			 1995–96 39,919 51,170 5.5 
			 1996–97 41,829 51,789 5.4 
			 1997–98 43,426 52,222 5.3 
			 1998–99 45,165 52,940 5.2 
			 1999–2000 47,934 55,102 5.2 
			 2000–01 50,580 57,392 5.2 
			 2001–02 54,494 60,343 5.4 
			 2002–03 57,437 61,644 5.4 
			 2003–04 60,230 62,971 5.4 
			 2004–05 64,560 66,095 5.5 
			 2005–06 68,669 68,669 5.6 
			 2006–07 71,400 69,686 5.5 
			 2007–08 75,776 72,042 5.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures have been rounded to the nearest million pounds.
	2.All figures are consistent with the pre-Budget report 2005 and are in 2005–06 prices. Figures are for GB other than the share of GDP which is a proportion of the UKGDP.
	3.All pensioner benefits (table 3) includes the basic state pension (table 1) and pension credit (table 2) and the following benefits paid to pensioners: Christmas bonus-contribution based; retirement pension-non contributory; invalidity/incapacity benefit up to and including 1999–2000; widows/bereavement benefits; severe disablement allowance; winter fuel payments (from 1997–98 onwards); over- 65s payment (in 2005–06) and over-70s payment (in 2004–05 and 2005–06); over-75 TV licence (from 2000–01 onwards); housing Benefit and discretionary housing payments; community charge/council tax benefit, pensions compensation board.
	Source:
	Figures have been taken from the DWP Expenditure tables.
	
		Number of pensioners in receipt of benefits -- Caseload (thousand)
		
			  Retirement pension contribution based Widows/bereavement benefits Invalidity/incapacity benefit Incapacity benefit-credits only 
		
		
			 1992–93 10,096 50 282 — 
			 1993–94 10,103 51 298 — 
			 1994–95 10,139 47 299 — 
			 1995–96 10,261 47 279 6 
			 1996–97 10,423 43 217 5 
			 1997–98 10,574 36 154 4 
			 1998–99 10,712 35 90 5 
			 1999–2000 10,851 31 29 5 
			 2000–01 10,931 28 — 4 
			 2001–02 11,036 28 — — 
			 2002–03 11,121 28 — — 
			 2003–04 11,250 27 — — 
			 2004–05 11,529 24 — — 
			 2005–06 11,789 21 — — 
			 2006–07 12,016 19 — — 
			 2007–08 12,275 17 — — 
		
	
	
		Caseload (thousand)
		
			  Retirement pension non-contributory Severe disablement allowance Winter fuel payments Over 75 TV licence Income support for people over 60/minimum income guarantee/pension credit 
		
		
			 1992–93 29 46 — — 1,668 
			 1993–94 29 49 — — 1,789 
			 1994–95 28 49 — — 1,776 
			 1995–96 29 35 — — 1,777 
			 1996–97 27 38 — — 1,756 
			 1997–98 26 39 9,759 — 1,714 
			 1998–99 25 41 9,953 — 1,651 
			 1999–2000 24 42 10,084 — 1,628 
			 2000–01 23 41 11,106 3,156 1,638 
			 2001–02 24 42 11,202 3,859 1,736 
			 2002–03 23 43 11,358 3,778 1,760 
			 2003–04 24 43 11,486 3,838 1,977 
			 2004–05 25 43 11,613 3,875 2,603 
			 2005–06 26 42 11,762 3,922 2,741 
			 2006–07 29 42 11,959 3,970 2,878 
			 2007–08 30 41 12,254 4,014 3,076 
		
	
	
		Caseload (thousand)
		
			  Housing benefit Council tax benefit 
		
		
			 1992–93 1,837 3,315 
			 1993–94 1,914 2,719 
			 1994–95 1,937 2,801 
			 1995–96 1,917 2,769 
			 1996–97 1,886 2,692 
			 1997–98 1,844 2,623 
			 1998–99 1,798 2,567 
			 1999–2000 1,726 2,471 
			 2000–01 1,664 2,387 
			 2001–02 1,637 2,371 
			 2002–03 1,612 2,357 
			 2003–04 1,541 2,341 
			 2004–05 1,554 2,467 
			 2005–06 1,559 2,609 
			 2006–07 1,562 2,698 
			 2007–08 1,565 2,787 
		
	
	Notes.
	1.Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
	2.Pension credit, minimum income guarantee or income support:
	3.Numbers from 2005–06 are forecast.
	4.No payments of incapacity benefit were paid to people over state pension age from 2000–01 onwards (a small number of credits only cases are in 2000–01).
	5.Winter fuel payments began in 1997–98.
	6.Free TV licences for the over 75s began in 2000–01.
	Source:
	DWP Historic and forecast caseload information.

Special Advisers

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the special advisers in post in his Department, broken down by pay band; and what the total budgeted cost to his Department of special advisers is for 2005–06.

Anne McGuire: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office on 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1258W.
	Information relating to costs for 2005–06 will be published after the end of the current financial year.

State Pension

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value of the basic pension would have been for (a) individuals and (b) couples in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 2006–07 if it had been increased in line with average earnings each year from April 1980.

Stephen Timms: The information is in the table.
	
		
			  1997–98 2006–07 
		
		
			 Individuals 95.45 136.75 
			 Couples 152.95 219.10 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.All figures are in cash terms.
	2.In April 1980 the rate of Basic State Pension was £23.30 (£37.30 for a couple).
	3.There are no singles or couples rate as such, the basic state pension is an individual benefit; although the Category A rate is commonly referred to as the singles rate, and the combination of the Category A and Category B rate paid to married women is commonly referred to as the couples rate.
	4.Figures are based on the April 1980 rate of basic state pension uprated in line with growth in the seasonally unadjusted Average Earnings Index (including bonuses) to September in each year, They take account of the convention that rates of basic state pension are rounded to the nearest 5p.
	5.The actual level of the basic state pension was £62.45 (£99.80 for a couple) in 1997–98. The proposed rate is £84.25 (£134.75 for a couple) in 2006–07.

Winter Fuel Payments

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many eligible pensioners failed to claim winter fuel payments in the last three years for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Most people who qualify for a winter fuel payment do not need to make a claim because they are paid automatically from DWP records. Some people aged 60 or over who are not in receipt of a benefit administered by DWP do need to claim. Many men aged 60–64, for example, fall into this category and need to claim. It is, however, not possible to estimate how many eligible pensioners have not claimed.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

School Sports

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to improve the teaching of physical education in schools.

Jacqui Smith: In the five years up to 2008, the Government is investing over £1.5 billion in delivering the national PE and school sport strategy. Within this strategy the PE and school sport professional development programme is raising the quality of teaching in PE by ensuring that teachers are able to deliver a broad, balanced and inclusive programme of PE and sport in schools. The programme is free to all teachers in maintained schools in England. So far this year, over 43,000 teacher places have been taken up on the programme.

Universities

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government is taking to enable the most popular universities to expand.

Bill Rammell: We have increased the total annual funding for Higher Education by some £2 billion since taking office to enable institutions to educate over 250,000 more students a year over the same period. Popular institutions wishing to expand are free to submit proposals for growth to the Higher Education Funding Council for England which distributes the grant we make available for them.

Schools (Out-of-hours Facilities)

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to improve out-of-hours facilities provided by schools.

Jacqui Smith: We have committed 840 million to help develop extended services, including high quality child care, study support, and before and after school clubs, so that they are accessible through all our schoolsby 2010. We have also appointed the National Remodelling Team to provide support to schools and local authorities in developing extended services. Good progress is being made with 4,400 schools, thus far, indicating their willingness to work on developing extended services.

Looked-after Children

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to improve the life chances of looked-after children.

Maria Eagle: Since the 885 million Quality Protects initiative, we have taken further steps to improve chances for looked after children, including: investing an extra 113 million through the Choice Protects initiative to improve placement choice, particularly foster care. In addition to our wide reforms of children's services, we are seeking to improve placement stability and have introduced a duty to promote educational achievement. We will be consulting this year on further proposals for improving outcomes for Looked After Children.

Small Classes

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will fund smaller classes for children who are not reaching the required educational standard; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Schools White Paper, Higher Standards, Better Schools For All, announced our plans for personalised learning, and in particular for catch-up lessons for pupils who are falling behind. 335 million has been earmarked within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 200608, to provide the resources secondary schools need to start delivering personalised learning for pupils in Key Stage 3, particularly for those who have fallen behind in literacy and numeracy and for those who are gifted or talented.
	230 million of DSG for 200608 was earmarked in the Schools Funding Announcement on 7 December 2005 to personalise learning in primary schools. This will enable schools to provide more effective small group and one-to-one tuition.
	In addition, an extra 60 million in each of 200607 and 200708 will be shared among the primary and secondary sectors, targeted at schools with the largest numbers of pupils who have fallen behind in English and maths.

School Admissions

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills Whether, as part of further schools reform, she intends to require all schools to follow the existing admissions code of practice; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: All schools must have regard to the existing statutory School Admissions Code of Practice and comply with the legislation on school admissions which prevents the introduction of new selection by ability. Schools cannot introduce unlawful arrangements. If they introduce arrangements which are not in line with the good practice in the Code, their local authority should object to those arrangements to the school adjudicators. Adjudicator decisions are binding.

Special Needs

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills What steps she plans to take to improve the co-ordination of services for children with special needs and their families.

Maria Eagle: The Every Child Matters Change for Children Programme aims to improve the coordination of services for children and families through children's trust arrangements, children's centres and extended schools. The programme will enable us to better deliver improved services for children with special needs and disabled children and their families, as set out in the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services and the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People.

Special Needs

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were recorded as having a requirement for (a) a statement of educational need, (b) School Action and (c) School Action Plus in (i)200304 and (ii) 200405.

Maria Eagle: The available information is given in the tables.
	
		Number of pupils with statements of special educational needs (SEN) by type of school -- 2004 and 2005Position in January each yearEngland
		
			  2004 2005 
		
		
			 All schools   
			 Pupils with statements 247,590 242,580 
			 Pupils on roll 8,334,880 8,274,470 
			 Incidence (Percentage)(32) 3.0 2.9 
			
			 Maintained schools   
			 Nursery   
			 Pupils with statements 460 410 
			 Pupils on roll 38,970 37,410 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 1.2 1.1 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 0.2 0.2 
			
			 Primary   
			 Pupils with statements 69,610 67,380 
			 Pupils on roll 4,252,540 4,204,500 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 1.6 1.6 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 28.1 27.8 
			 Secondary   
			 Pupils with statements 78,480 76,580 
			 Pupils on roll 3,324,950 3,316,050 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 2.4 2.3 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 31.7 31.6 
			
			 Special(34)(5508610035)   
			 Pupils with statements 84,250 83,290 
			 Pupils on roll 86,930 85,500 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 96.9 97.4 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 34.0 34.3 
			
			 Pupil Referral Units(35)   
			 Pupils with statements 2,300 2,260 
			 Pupils on roll 13,040 14,470 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 17.6 15.6 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 0.9 0.9 
			
			 Other schools   
			 Independent(36)   
			 Pupils with statements 7,800 7,930 
			 Pupils on roll 613,620 611,670 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 1.3 1.3 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 3.1 3.3 
			
			 Non-Maintained Special(35)   
			 Pupils with statements 4,700 4,740 
			 Pupils on roll 4,840 4,870 
			 Incidence (percentage)(32) 97.2 97.3 
			 Placement (percentage)(33) 1.9 2.0 
		
	
	(32)Incidence of pupilsthe number of pupils with statements expressed as a proportion of the number of pupils on roll.
	(33)Placement of pupilsthe number of pupils with statements expressed as a proportion of the number of pupils with statements in all schools.
	(34)Including general and special hospital schools.
	(35)Excluding dually registered pupils.
	(36)Includes direct grant nursery schools and city technology colleges and academies.
	Note:
	Totals may not appear to equal the sum of the component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	
		Number of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) without statements by type of school2004 and 2005Position in January each yearEngland
		
			  2004 2005 
		
		
			 All schools(37)   
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 1,197,490 1,230,800 
			 Pupils on roll 8,334,680 8,274,320 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 14.4 14.9 
			
			 Maintained schools   
			 Nursery   
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 4,270 4,110 
			 Pupils on roll 38,970 37,410 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 11.0 11.0 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 0.4 0.3 
			
			 Primary   
			 SEN provisionschool action 467,020 468,480 
			 SEN provisionschool action plus (40) 218,680 224,000 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 685,700 692,480 
			 Pupils on roll 4,252,540 4,204,500 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 16.1 16.5 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 57.3 56.3 
			
			 Secondary   
			 SEN provisionschool action 318,660 333,250 
			 SEN provisionschool action plus(40) 131,470 140,260 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 450,120 473,510 
			 Pupils on roll 3,324,950 3,316,050 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 13.5 14.3 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 37.6 38.5 
			
			 Special(37)(5508610038)   
			 SEN provisionschool action 170 230 
			 SEN provisionschool action plus(40) 1,630 1,520 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 1,800 1,750 
			 Pupils on roll 86,730 85,350 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 2.1 2.1 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 0.1 0.1 
			
			 Pupil Referral Units(41)(5508610042)   
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 6,440 6,540 
			 Pupils on roll 13,040 14,470 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 49.4 45.2 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 0.5 0.5 
			
			 Other schools   
			 Independent(43)   
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 49,140 52,370 
			 Pupils on roll 613,620 611,670 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 8.0 8.6 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 4.1 4.3 
			
			 Non-Maintained Special(41)   
			 SEN provisionschool action (44) 10 
			 SEN provisionschool action plus(40) 20 30 
			 Pupils with SEN without statements 30 40 
			 Pupils on roll 4,840 4,870 
			 Incidence (percentage)(38) 0.5 0.8 
			 Placement (percentage)(39) 0.0 0.0 
		
	
	(37)Excludes general hospital schools. Data for pupils with SEN without statements is not collected from these schools.
	(38)Incidence of pupilsthe number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a proportion of pupils on roll.
	(39)Placement of pupilsthe number of pupils with SEN without statements expressed as a proportion of pupils with SEN without statements in all schools.
	(40)May include some pupils recorded at statutory assessment stage.
	(41)Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(42)Includes pupils with other providers.
	(43)Includes Direct Grant Nursery schools, City Technology Colleges and Academies.
	(44)Less than 5.
	Note:
	Totals may not appear to equal the sum of the component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Extended Schools

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills What discussions she has had with local authorities about extended schools.

Beverley Hughes: Local authorities have a vital role to play in developing extended services as part of their work on Every Child Matters. We meet regularly with local authorities. Good progress is being made. All local authorities are establishing strategic plans within their children and young people plans. Schools will have a new legal duty to have regard to those plans when developing extended services. The national remodelling team, which is working with all local authorities, report the good progress that, thus far, 4,400 schools have expressed their willingness to develop extended services.

Carers

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to enhance the rights of carers.

Beverley Hughes: This Government are the first to recognise the contribution and concerns of all carers formally and are supporting carers on a number of fronts through the work of several departments.
	The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 strengthens the rights of carers to an assessment of their own needs as carers and involves a new right to a carer's assessment. It gives local councils mandatory duties to support carers by providing services to carers directly and in the provision of breaks, and as well, supporting carers by providing direct payment for carers' services. These direct payments can be made to families with disabled children and disabled young people aged 16 and 17 who have been assessed as needing services. Direct payments are cash payments made by the local authority to disabled young people or families, to enable them to purchase social care services that best meet their needs. The Health and Social Care Act 2001 made the offer of direct payments mandatory.
	The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 builds on previous legislation and makes changes to the existing law around carers' services. There is now a duty on councils to inform carers of their right to an assessment of their needs. When assessing carers councils must also take into account whether the carer works or wishes to work, undertakes or wishes to undertake education, training or leisure activities. The Act also facilitates co-operation between authorities in relation to the provision of services that are relevant to carers. DfES worked closely with DH on this legislation.
	We are increasing funding for short breaks through yearly increases in the carer's grant. This is leading to increases in services for parents of disabled children. The carers grant is worth 185 million in 200506. Approximately 20 per cent. is spent on children's services, including services to disabled children and children and young people under 18 who are care-givers for other members of their family. In the last local government finance settlement, we confirmed our commitment to continue the carers grant until the end of the 200708 financial year.
	The DfES is also funding a national freephone helpline, run by Contact a Family (a national registered charity) to provide information for parents of disabled children on disability and to support them in contacting other families, developing local and national support groups and acting as a voice to raise awareness and campaign for families.

Child Disabilities

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the (a) feasibility and (b) merits of a national centre for early intervention for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Early intervention is an important part of early years policy and my Department continues to promote the early support programme for young disabled children and their families as an ongoing, central feature of our policy in England. As part of that approach, my Department asked Mencap and other stakeholders to undertake a feasibility study to assess the viability of a National Centre for Early Intervention. I welcome their report. However, because the funding implications of a national centre are significant, I have now requested a robust business appraisal of the cost benefits of such a centre and how it might be funded. Further consideration will then be given to their report as part of the comprehensive spending review.

Childcare Bill

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate her Department has made of the cost to local authorities in (a) England and (b) Hertfordshire of fulfilling the statutory duties included in part 1 of the Childcare Bill.

Beverley Hughes: The Government have already planned to increase expenditure on early years and child care from 958 million in 2004/05 to 1.8 billion in 2007/08, an increase of 55 per cent. A total of 4.4 billion will be available in 2007/08 when funding for the free early education offer is taken into account.
	This substantial increase in funding will provide the framework for support to local authorities as they take forward their responsibilities under the Bill. There is no need for additional money because:
	(a) Local authorities are already funded to play a lead role in this area. The provisions of the Bill merely formalise this lead role and establish it on a more long-term and sustainable basis;
	(b) Forthcoming guidance on the new duty to secure sufficient child care will indicate that ongoing subsidy of providers by local authorities is unlikely to satisfy the requirement of a reasonably practicable use of resources in the long-term.
	(c) The duty on local authorities to secure sufficient childcare will require them to shape and support the childcare market as a whole. In those instances where councils are providers of child care themselves, they will be able to recover their costs by charging fees. A substantial portion of that fee income would come from the Government via parents through the childcare element of working tax credit.
	(d) Mainstreaming of funding and the ability to link to existing performance management systems will carry a cost saving for local authorities as they will not have to report on separate targets or progress to central Government and central Government would no longer have to administer and police these targets.
	The vast majority of Sure Start funding will be routed through local authorities by 2008 and funding is already in place to deliver these services through the General Sure Start Grant (GSSG).
	Local authorities were advised of their funding allocation in winter 2005. This allocation will include capital and revenue for children's centres and Extended Schools, together with revenue for Sure Start Local Programmes.
	Hertfordshire were allocated 38,800,000 for 200608including 20,242,000 in revenue. In 200406, Hertfordshire received 10,916,000 in revenue, therefore revenue funding has increased by 85 per cent.

Disabled People (Services)

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the continuity in delivery provided by different models of multi-agency transition from child to adult services for disabled people; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People recommended that
	DFES should identify, by 2006, different models of multi-agency transition co-ordination and disseminate effective practice through existing or developing mechanisms, such as the Transition Information Network (TIN) or the proposed practice development toolkit.
	The Secretary of State has endorsed the report. The Department is currently finalising a contract to survey different transition models and to draw up practical guidance for professionals in the field. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2006. It will take account of previous initiatives in this field, such as the Department's longitudinal study of transition planning and outcomes for young people with special educational needs, and of current work, such as the Department of Health-led work on transition to adult services for young people under long-term healthcare. The practical guidance will be disseminated widely on appropriate websites, such as the Transition Information Network.

Adult Education (Ealing)

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to expandvocational education and training for adults in Ealing.

Phil Hope: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) London West is responsible for the planning and funding of training to raise the skills of the workforce and potential workforce. It engages throughout the year with providers and employers to ensure that provision matches employer skills demands. There has been considerable recent work in the London borough of Ealing to ensure that said demands are met. This work includes the following:
	The opening, at Ealing and West London College, of the new Institute of Media. This is an 11.5 million development in central Ealing, linking directly with the BBC and other employers, providing vocational education for adults and funded by both the LSC and the college. There has also been substantial funding and redevelopment for vocational provision at the college's sites at Acton and Southall.
	The work towards Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status of Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. Interim CoVE status has been achieved in the area of Media, and an application is being moderated currently for CoVE status in the area of Construction. Each of these will result in increased Level 2 and Level 3 vocational provision in the area.
	The allocation of over 3 million, from LSC London West's recent European Social Fund round, to providers based in Ealing which are delivering vocational training. There are also a large number of other providers who are working with Ealing residents to provide vocational training as a result of this funding round.
	Work with the London borough of Ealing's Adult and Community Learning team, to identify the vocational priorities within Ealing, and match the provision offered against these areas, resulting in increased opportunities in customer service and retail, among other sector areas.
	The organisation and promotion of Ealing's Year of Adult Learning 2005, including the promotion of vocational opportunities both in the borough and available to residents of the borough.
	Further detailed information is available from Peter Pledger, Executive Director of LSC London West.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people in Gravesham have been granted an education maintenance allowance.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, which operates education maintenance allowances for the DfES and holds the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 December 2005
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked how many young people in Gravesham have been granted an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)?
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received EMA is available at Local Authority level,but not at constituency level. The information relates to academic years.
	By the end of October 2005, 7,872 young people in the Kent Local Education Authority area had received one or more EMA payments in the academic year 2005/06 so far.
	During the academic year 2004/05, 5,317 young people in the Kent Local Education Authority received one or more EMA payments
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Chris Bradley at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4512 or christopher. bradley@lsc.gov.uk

Education Maintenance Allowance

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many young people have been granted an education maintenance allowance in (a) Leeds, West constituency and (b) Leeds.

Maria Eagle: As outlined in my response to my right hon. Friend on 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 121617W, in respect of a similar question about education maintenance allowance, this is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, which operates education maintenance allowances for the DfES and holds the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the council's Chief Executive has written to my right hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 22 December 2005
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked how many young people have been granted an education maintenance allowance in (a) Leeds West constituency and (b)Leeds?
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received EMA is available at Local Authority level, but not at constituency level. The information relates to academic years.
	By the end of November 2005, 5,440 young people in the Leeds Local Education Authority area had received one or more EMA payments in the academic year 2005/06 so far.
	During the academic year 2004/05, 5,651 young people in the Leeds Local Education Authority received one or more EMA payments. During academic year 2003/04 EMA was piloted in Leeds and 4,964 young people received EMA payments.
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Chris Bradley at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4512 or Christopher.Bradley@lsc.gov.uk

ERASMUS Students

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many non-UK national ERASMUS students have studied at UK institutions in each year since 1990; and what the total cost to her Department was of such students in each year.

Bill Rammell: The numbers of non-UK Erasmus students at UK institutions from 1995 onwards are provided in the following table. Data prior to 1995 are unavailable.
	
		Incoming Erasmus Students to UK 199596 to 200304
		
			  Number of non-UK Erasmus students 
		
		
			 199596 21,073 
			 199697 22,088 
			 199798 20,867 
			 199899 21,168 
			 19992000 20,667 
			 200001 19,130 
			 200102 17,645 
			 200203 16,976 
			 200304 16,601 
		
	
	Source:
	UK SOCRATES ERASMUS Council (UKSEC).
	As Erasmus students receive funding in the form of grants from the European Commission, there is no direct cost to the Department.

Further Education (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which further education colleges inGravesham will receive (a) a decrease and (b) an increase in their funding for adult education, not including for basic skills courses, in 200506 compared to the previous academic year.

Bill Rammell: The Department allocates funds for further education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector, including 16 to 18 years participation, to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) working through 47 local offices. The LSC was established in 2001 bringing the planning and funding of post-16 education together under one body within a framework set by Government.
	My Department does not hold figures at local or regional levels and this is a matter for the LSC. Therefore, LSC's Chief Executive, Mark Haysom has written to the hon. Member with further details and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 12 January 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills where you asked which further education colleges in Gravesham will receive (a) a decrease and (b) an increase in their funding for adult education, not including for basic skills courses, in 200506 compared to the previous academic year.
	The only FE College funded by the LSC in Gravesham is North West Kent College of Technology. In 200506 this college had its funding increased to almost 19.5 million, an increase of over 12 per cent. on 200405. However, within this increased funding, the amount spent on adult learning fell by about 0.5 per cent. to just under 4.7 million, which includes funding for adult skills for life learning.
	The overall amount of skills for life learning being funded in this FE college in 200506 is currently just over 0.7 million (an increase on the previous academic year of over 300 per cent.), but this learning can be in respect of either young people or adults. Therefore, whilst the majority of the 4.7 million funding for adult learning will not be skills for life learning, the precise amount will not be known until the college submits student data after the year end.
	Trust this is helpful.

Parenting Support

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she has taken to increase parenting support available to vulnerable families with particular reference to those living in socio-economically deprived circumstances.

Beverley Hughes: We will increase the provision of parenting support across the country through the roll out of children's centres and extended schools. By 2008 we will have established 2,500 children's centres and, half of all secondary schools and one third of all primary schools will be providing extended services. By 2010, there will be 3,500 children's centres and pupils at all schools will be able to access extended services.
	Children's centres serving the most disadvantaged communities must provide parenting support as part of their core offer.

Public Bodies

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by her Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Maria Eagle: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and publicised in accordance with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' code of practice. This shows that no former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 have since been appointed to public bodies sponsored by the Department.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Educationand Skills what discussions she has had with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority on its location; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 428W.

Schools for the Hearing Impaired

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools for the hearing impaired there were in each year since 1996.

Maria Eagle: The available information is given in the table. The type of special need for which a school is formally approved to make provision is collected from special schools only.
	
		All special schools: Number of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment(45)1996 to 2005position in January each yearEngland
		
			  Maintained special schools 
			  Number of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment Total number of schools Percentage of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment(46) 
		
		
			 1996 26 1,191 2.2 
			 1997 25 1,171 2.1 
			 1998 40 1,164 3.4 
			 1999 45 1,148 3.9 
			 2000 45 1,134 4.0 
			 2001 112 1,113 10.1 
			 2002 134 1,098 12.2 
			 2003 175 1,088 16.1 
			 2004 257 1,078 23.8 
			 2005 258 1,049 24.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Non-maintained special schools 
			  Number of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment Total number of schools Percentage of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment(47) 
		
		
			 1996 13 72 18.1 
			 1997 11 68 16.2 
			 1998 11 65 16.9 
			 1999 12 61 19.7 
			 2000 11 63 17.5 
			 2001 11 62 17.7 
			 2002 12 63 19.0 
			 2003 23 72 31.9 
			 2004 24 70 34.3 
			 2005 24 73 32.9 
		
	
	
		
			  All special schools 
			  Number of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment Total number of schools Percentage of schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment(48) 
		
		
			 1996 39 1,263 3.1 
			 1997 36 1,239 2.9 
			 1998 51 1,229 4.1 
			 1999 57 1,209 4.7 
			 2000 56 1,197 4.7 
			 2001 123 1,175 10.5 
			 2002 146 1,161 12.6 
			 2003 198 1,160 17.1 
			 2004 281 1,148 24.5 
			 2005 282 1,122 25.1 
		
	
	(45)Information is as reported by schools. Schools may be approved to make provision for more than one type of special educational need.
	(46)Number of maintained special schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment expressed as a percentage of all maintained special schools.
	(47)Number of non-maintained special schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment expressed as a percentage of all non-maintained special schools.
	(48)Number of special schools formally approved to make provision for pupils with hearing impairment expressed as a percentage of all special schools.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Sure Start

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are participating in the Sure Start programme in Coventry, South.

Beverley Hughes: There are two Sure Start Children's Centres in Coventry South, Barley Lea Children's Centre, designated as such in June 2003 and Middleride Early Years Centre, designated in August 2005. Both these children's centres are based on parts of the catchment area of the Sure Start local programme in Coventry, South-East. Together they serve children under the age of 5 and their families living in Binley and Ernesford Grange, Willenhall, and Stoke Aldermoor and deliver seamless, integrated services to a population of 1,028 children under five and their families.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the HomeDepartment 
	(1)  how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in (a) Hillingdon and (b) each police division in Hillingdon in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many prosecutions for breaches of antisocial behaviour orders the Crown Prosecution Service has brought in (a) Ruislip-Northwood constituency and (b) the London borough of Hillingdon.

Hazel Blears: Data held centrally on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued are not available below local authority area (LAA) level. A table is available on the Crime Reduction website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk giving the number of ASBOs issued in England and Wales where restrictions have been imposed in LAAs.
	The Home Office Court Proceedings Database holds breach proceedings only where there has been a conviction. These data are available at Criminal Justice System area level only.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many antisocial behaviour orders had been issued by each local authority area by the latest date for which figures are available;
	(2)  what percentage of antisocial behaviour orders have been breached in each local authority area;
	(3)  what percentage of antisocial behaviour orders that have been breached by those aged (a) over 21 and (b) 20 years and under resulted in the imposition of a term of imprisonment.

Hazel Blears: A table giving a breakdown by the local government authority area in which prohibitions are imposed within antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) is available on the Crime Reduction website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk. This table gives data by year since ASBOs were introduced up to 30 June 2005 (latest available).
	ASBO breach data are currently available from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 for ASBOs issued since 1 June 2000. Age data are for those aged 10 to 17 and 18 and over. During this period 46 per cent. of persons aged 10 to 17 received a custodial sentence for breaching their ASBO. The corresponding percentage for those aged 18 and over is 64 per cent.
	ASBO breach data are available at Criminal Justice System area level only.

Crimes Against Young People

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most common forms of crime committed against young people of school age were in (a) Ruislip-Northwood constituency, (b) the London borough of Hillingdon, (c) Greater London and (d) England in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally. Apart from specific sexual offences, it is not possible to identify the age of the victim in the recorded crime statistics.

Criminal Records Bureau

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to minimise processing times for Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) assesses its performance continually against published service standards and remains committed to improving the overall efficiency of its service. The Bureau's performance for Standard Disclosures has consistently exceeded the target of 93 per cent. issued within two weeks: this has been achieved largely through greater automation of its internal processes.
	For Enhanced CRB checks, an additional search is made against information held by police forces and the CRB is reliant on forces completing their work efficiently. A new service level agreement is now being reviewed by the 43 police forces which contains improved clearance times and aims to provide greater certainty on volumes, thus enabling more informed demand planning and a clearer framework under which police performance can be monitored. The new agreement should be in place by April 2006.
	An Interim Police Local Cross Checking (I-PLX) system was launched in February 2005 and delivered ahead of schedule in August. Work is now in hand to enhance the database further and by 200708 CRB's processing times will reduce even further by removing the CRB's reliance on applicants' previous addresses.
	The CRB has commenced a review of the Disclosure application form. A new prototype of the form has been produced in consultation with a number of their customers and a cross section of Registered Bodies has agreed to take part in a pilot study. This review is expected to reach its conclusion early in 2006. The changes proposed should reduce customer errors and the resulting double handling of those applications.
	As part of a broader strategy of making all of its services available electronically, the CRB is also developing an electronic application form that will capture accurate data first time, minimising customer error and speeding up processing times.
	In the longer term the CRB is working with the Home Office to see how ID cards can improve the CRB's processes and further significantly reduce turnaround times.

Deportations

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider his decision to deport Eleonora Suhoviy.

Tony McNulty: It is not appropriate to deal with an individual case in this manner, I will write to the hon. member separately.

DNA Database

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have refused to give police DNA samples for use in the national police DNA database in each year since 2000.

Andy Burnham: The Home Office does not hold statistics on the number of refusals made to requests for DNA samples.

DNA Database

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to remove a DNA sample given (a) following an arrest and (b) following voluntary consent from the National DNA Database.

Andy Burnham: The decision to remove from the National DNA Database a DNA profile taken following arrest is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of the police force which took the DNA sample. When such a decision is taken, the Chief Officer will instruct the Custodian of the National DNA Database to remove the profile. A DNA profile obtained from a volunteer can be loaded onto the National DNA database only if the volunteer has given his/her written consent.

Elderly People (Fraud)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have taken to protect the elderly from fraud; and what recent discussions he has had on this issue.

Paul Goggins: A large amount of fraud can be prevented if people take simple precautions to protect themselves. Government therefore takes an active role in improving public awareness of fraud and how to avoid becoming a victim. These measures are targeted at all members of the community.
	The Government publishes fraud prevention advice on the Home Office, Department of Trade and Industry and crime reduction websites and the Home Office published (jointly with the banking industry) a card fraud prevention leaflet that contains useful advice for members of the public. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Financial Services Authority (FSA) websites also contain material on common scams and how to avoid them.
	The Government recently launched Get Safe Online, the UK's first national internet and computer security awareness campaign. The campaign is a joint public and private sector initiative, primarily targeted at consumers and micro-businesses, which aims to raise awareness of internet security threats (including online fraud) and help users to protect themselves.
	The Government have also set up, in conjunction with the private sector, a consumer website where people can get advice on protecting their identity. This has been followed up by a leaflet and poster campaign, with material distributed to consumers by police stations, libraries, Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Passport and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices.
	To improve the law enforcement response to fraud, the Government have made available additional funding for the City of London police force, matched by funding from the Corporation of London, to enable it to take a lead role in fraud investigation not just in the City but across London and the south east. The Fraud Bill, introduced in the House of Lords in May, seeks to clarify and simplify the laws on fraud to better equip police and prosecutors to deal with modern crimes and keep up with new and inventive frauds.
	Home Office Ministers and officials hold regular discussions with law enforcement and industry bodies about a number of fraud-related issues.

Eurojust

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Eurojust conference held in London in October.

Paul Goggins: The Eurojust conference on trafficking in human beings, held in London on 24 and 25 October last year under the UK presidency of the EU, was attended by investigators and prosecutors from across the EU. It provided an opportunity to share and exchange experience on national legislation, different investigative and prosecuting approaches and the sharing of information on trafficking networks. The conference also demonstrated the roles of Eurojust and Europol in improving co-operation and co-ordination between member states and raised awareness of other international measures to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, including specialist training programmes supported by the EU.
	The effectiveness of a co-ordinated response to trafficking was demonstrated in an operation facilitated by Eurojust on 14 December last year when authorities conducted simultaneous houses searches and arrests in Turkey, Greece, Italy, France and the United Kingdom against a network trafficking human beings into the UK and other member states.
	The UK made action against trafficking a priority during its presidency of the EU and the adoption of an EU Action Plan by the Council of Ministers in December last year was a major achievement of our presidency. The plan aims to tackle trafficking at all stages of the process, focusing on priority areas where the EU, acting collectively, can make a real impact. Trafficking continues to be one of the Government's priorities. On 5 January 2006, we launched a public consultation document Tackling Human Trafficking-Consultation on Proposals for a UK Action Plan. The consultation period runs until 5 April 2005.

Murder

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent Law Commission recommendation concerning the reclassification of the offence of murder.

Hazel Blears: The Law Commission's consultation is the first part of the Government's review of the law of murder and is the start of a wider consultative process. The Government welcome the detailed analysis that the Law Commission has done and hope that a wide range of organisations and individuals will respond to the consultation so that their views can be fully taken into account during this initial stage of the review.

Offenders (Prison Recalls)

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were recalled to prison as a result of breach of a post-custody licence in each of the last five years; and what proportion in each year was recalled for (a) violations of their licence and (b) fresh offences.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the number of offenders sentenced to four years or more who were recalled to prison as a result of a breach of post custody licence in each of the last five years can be found in tables10.8 and 10.9 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin: Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2004. Information on the number of offenders sentenced to less than four years who were recalled to prison in 200405 is provided at paragraph 10.12 of the same publication. Copies of this publication are available in the House of Commons Library.
	All offenders who have been recalled to prison have violated at least one of the conditions of their licence. Specific information on the reasons for the recall in each of the last five years of those released on parole is provided in the attached table. Data held centrally on non-parole cases recalled for further offences are not sufficiently complete or reliable for publication.
	
		Proportion of persons recalled from parole by reason for recall
		
			 Reason for recall 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Further offences 40 27 45 42 37 
			 Being out of touch 32 23 26 29 28 
			 Hostel: failure to reside/  comply 15 9 9 8 10 
			 Other reasons 13 41 21 21 25 
			 Total number recalled 267 329 420 601 712

Organised Crime

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the finding of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report closing the gap that organised crime is widespread, vibrant and growing.

Hazel Blears: By looking at organised crime utilising additional data sets to those traditionally used to examine criminal markets such as counterfeit, contraband, illicit goods and immigration crime, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) came to the conclusion that the complexity, resilience and reach of organised crime was growing.
	The closing the gap report provides a detailed and convincing case as part of the wider grounds for reconfiguring police service provision effectively to tackle all criminal and anti social threats. The issues in relation to organised crime were key drivers to the creation of the multi-disciplinary Serious and Organised Crime Agency that will come into existence in April 2006.
	This body will bring together the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and elements of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Immigration Service to develop an improved knowledge and understanding of the way criminal enterprises operate, and will intervene in a way that achieves a real and lasting impact.
	It will also work to share intelligence with, and offer support to, others engaged in law enforcement at home and overseas to foster a holistic approach to harm reduction. The creation of strategic forces will give the police service and partner agencies the capability and resilience to tackle organised crime cross-force or cross-basic command unit without impacting on neighbourhood policing: indeed it is the information and intelligence that flows from effective neighbourhood policing that will enable success at this level.

Police

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of thelikely impact on the individual and local identity of local policing of merging predominantly rural police authorities with authorities that are predominantly urban.

Hazel Blears: Analysis of responses received in December 2005 from Cumbria Police Force and Police Authority to the recommendations of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)'s report Closing the Gap is currently under way. Assessment of the implications for the balance between urban and rural areas will be part of that analysis. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on the proposals for a particular area until that analysis is complete.

Police

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the consultation period on the proposed merger of police authorities in England beyond 23 December.

Hazel Blears: We acknowledge that the timetable set for this review is tight. Given the stark findings of the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) report, Closing the Gap it would have been negligent not to have responded quickly. The consultation process did not end with the submission of proposals on 23 December. Police forces and authorities will continue to consult locally with their communities and stakeholders on the best options for their areas. Similarly, no decisions will be made nationally without proper consultation across Government and with stakeholders at national level.

Police

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that Cumbria retains a minimum number of police officers not less than its current staffing level in the event of Cumbria Police Authority merging with one or more other authorities.

Hazel Blears: Analysis of responses received in December 2005 from Cumbria Police Force and Police Authority to the recommendations of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)'s report Closing the Gap is currently under way. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on the proposals for a particular area until that analysis is complete. Nonetheless, our commitment to ensure that every neighbourhood has a dedicated neighbourhood policing team by 2008 remains absolute. The creation of strategic forces is complimentary to that commitment and intended to reduce abstractions of neighbourhood officers to deal with major incidents or investigations elsewhere.

Police

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely impact on Cumbria Police Authority's excellent rating for citizen-focused policing of a merger of the authority with other more urban police authorities.

Hazel Blears: Analysis of responses received in December 2005 from Cumbria Police Force and Police Authority to the recommendations of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC)'s report Closing the Gap is currently under way. Assessment of the implications for citizen focused policing and the balance between urban and rural areas will be part of that analysis. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on the proposals for a particular area until that analysis is complete.

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many support staff are employed by each police force in the West Midlands Region.

Hazel Blears: The breakdown of police service strength for 31 March 2005 was published on 25 July 2005 and is available in the Library of the House and on:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1205.pdf
	Within this publication, figures for the breakdown of police staff in all police forces are available in Table 8a and 8b.

Prisoners

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 57W, on prisoners, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) offences and (b) number of each offence committed included in the 'Other' category.

Fiona Mactaggart: The types of offence included in the category of other are:
	Criminal damage
	Affray
	Violent disorder
	Threatening/disorderly behaviour
	Arson
	Cruelty to children
	Abduction
	Blackmail
	Kidnapping
	Perjury, libel,
	Breach of court order
	False imprisonment
	Bail Act Offences
	Assisting illegal immigrant
	Minor firearm offences
	Vagrancy Act offences
	Cruelty to animals
	Escaping lawful custody
	Making off without payment
	Criminal attempts
	Other indictable offences
	Held under Immigration Act 1971
	Other non criminal offences
	Offence not recorded
	The number of each offence committed and included in the other category is not readily available and it would incur disproportionate cost to provide it.

Prisoners

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 57W, on prisoners, if he will break down the information provided in the category of violence against the person by specific offence.

Fiona Mactaggart: From the start of the home detention curfew (HDC) scheme in January 1999, to 31 October 2005.119,000 offenders have been released onto the HDC scheme. The number of offences of violence against the person offences which offenders have committed during the HDC period, as reported to the Home Office, is 886.
	The total has been adjusted to incorporate additional information received since the answer given on 7 November.
	The following table breaks down this figure by specific offences.
	
		Breakdown of violence against the person offences committed whilst subject to HOC up to the 31 October 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Assault occasioning ABH 146 
			 Arson Endangering life 3 
			 Assault 7 
			 Assault on a PC 133 
			 Assault with intent to cause GBH 2 
			 Assault with intent to resist arrest 1 
			 Assault on a PC occasioning ABH 1 
			 Attempted murder 1 
			 GBH 1 
			 Making threats to kill 31 
			 Manslaughter 3 
			 Manslaughter with a mechanical vehicle 1 
			 Murder 1 
			 Obstructing/Resisting Constable 87 
			 Other assault 322 
			 Other violence against the person 11 
			 Possession of firearms with intent 9 
			 Possession of offensive weapon 76 
			 Wounding 50 
			 TOTAL 88

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what criteria are used to determine the use of (a) protective shields and (b) body armour in prisons; when these criteria were last reviewed; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  under what circumstances an inmate is designated suitable for (a) a three-man unlock and (b) a six-man unlock; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the criteria are for prisoners to be admitted to a witness protection unit; who authorises detention in such a unit; where these units are located; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  when (a) his Department and (b) the Prison Service last issued guidance regarding the handling of contraband smuggled into the prison estate; on what basis this new guidance was issued; when its effects will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what the risk assessment required is for the use of protective shields for inmates on suicide watch in prison; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: When a prisoner is armed, or suspected of being armed, or is violent and has access to weapons, approved protective personal equipment including protective shields, leg guards and helmets must be worn and/or used by staff attending an incident. The assessment as to whether personal protective equipment is necessary is made by the supervisor of the control and restraint team responding to the incident. In the case of a prisoner identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm, the prisoner's care plan would be available for the supervisor to consult to determine how such action would affect the individual.
	National Control and Restraint instructors, who are required to attend incidents such as a hostage situation, are equipped with body armour that provides stab and ballistic protection. The use of personal protective equipment was last reviewed in preparation for the publication of Prison Service Order 1600 'Use Of Force' in July 2005.
	The deployment of a three-officer team is the approved method of dealing with a violent or unco-operative prisoner. It is only used as a last resort after other methods, for example, by persuasion or negotiation, have been exhausted. There may be occasions when local risk assessment, based on the prisoner's recent history of behaviour, requires that more than one three-officer team is necessary to meet the threat of violence posed by a prisoner.
	Not everyone who acts as a protected witness needs to be admitted to a protected witness unit (PWU). Other methods can be used to protect such people, such as being located in a vulnerable prisoner or other secure unit. An allocation to a PWU is made after completion of a risk assessment and at the direction of the Prison Service in accordance with the Prison Act 1952. The prisoner has usually been an active participant in a serious crime and has elected to identify, provide information, or give evidence against others involved in serious crime, thus placing himself at risk. The Service does not openly disclose where PWU are located for security reasons and will write separately on this matter.
	The most recent guidance on the handling and preservation of illicit items found in prisons, such as drugs, weapons etc., was published in the Prison Service's National Security Framework (NSF) in 2003. The current guidance will be reviewed in line with the next review of the NSF in September 2006. The document is reviewed on an 18 monthly basis.

Proceeds of Crime Act

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) the total value and (b) value per head of relevant population was of assets seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 by each police force in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available, ranked in descending order.

Paul Goggins: Police force performance on recovering the proceeds of crime is measured by the value of cash forfeiture orders and confiscation orders obtained by a force. The total value of orders obtained by each police force in England and Wales in 200405 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and earlier legislation is shown in table A. The total value of orders obtained by each police force in England and Wales in 200405 per 100,000 of relevant population is shown in table B.
	
		Table A: Value of orders by police force in England and Wales
		
			  Total value of cash forfeitures and confiscation orders obtain by the police service in 200405 
			 Police Force  
		
		
			 Metropolitan Police Service 26,426,648.39 
			 Lancashire Constabulary 3,743,146.94 
			 Greater Manchester Police 3,453,431.70 
			 Merseyside Police 2,908,711.21 
			 Cambridgeshire Constabulary 2,695,434.41 
			 Derbyshire Constabulary 2,540,453.70 
			 West Yorkshire Police 2,265,457.57 
			 City of London Police 2,211,123.08 
			 West Midlands Police 2,053,433.63 
			 Avon and Somerset Constabulary 1,959,930.23 
			 Kent Police 1,926,936.62 
			 Nottinghamshire Police 1,336,612.41 
			 South Yorkshire Police 1,330,077.48 
			 Devon and Cornwall Constabulary 1,182,881.95 
			 Cumbria Constabulary 1,124,156.05 
			 Northamptonshire Police 1,063,417.47 
			 Dorset Police 1,050,401.06 
			 Sussex Police 1,002,181.72 
			 West Mercia Constabulary 999,467.06 
			 Norfolk Constabulary 911,868.06 
			 Northumbria Police 909,645.62 
			 Leicestershire Constabulary 891,588.29 
			 Thames Valley Police 750,663.61 
			 Surrey Police 648,947.84 
			 Cheshire Constabulary 541,557.19 
			 Wiltshire Constabulary 482,559.71 
			 Durham Constabulary 477,399.45 
			 Gwent Police 442,673.90 
			 Hertfordshire Constabulary 440,353.93 
			 Suffolk Constabulary 430,715.69 
			 South Wales Police 400,577.52 
			 Gloucestershire Constabulary 390,468.23 
			 Hampshire Constabulary 333,792.86 
			 Lincolnshire Police 307,912.23 
			 Staffordshire Police 260,405.82 
			 Humberside Police 255,656.67 
			 Cleveland Police 230,220.07 
			 North Yorkshire Police 205,081.94 
			 Dyfed-Powys Police 201,061.20 
			 Essex Police 192,804.57 
			 Bedfordshire Police 154,828.69 
			 North Wales Police 109,758.12 
			 Warwickshire Police 57,357.29 
			 Total value of orders 71,301,801.18 
		
	
	
		Table B: value of orders by police force per 100,000 population in England and Wales
		
			  Total value of cash forfeitures and confiscation orders per 100,000 population in England and Wales 
			 Police Force  
		
		
			 Cambridgeshire Constabulary 369,333.72 
			 Metropolitan Police Service 358,092.92 
			 Lancashire Constabulary 261,903.22 
			 Derbyshire Constabulary 260,236.39 
			 Cumbria Constabulary 229,499.22 
			 Merseyside Police 213,215.80 
			 Northamptonshire Police 165,458.37 
			 Dorset Police 150,179.58 
			 Greater Manchester Police 136,447.50 
			 Avon and Somerset Constabulary 129,954.20 
			 Nottinghamshire Police 129,857.71 
			 Kent Police 120,441.07 
			 Norfolk Constabulary 112,479.10 
			 West Yorkshire Police 108,088.42 
			 South Yorkshire Police 104,519.82 
			 Leicestershire Constabulary 94,970.05 
			 West Mercia Constabulary 85,189.35 
			 Durham Constabulary 80,591.43 
			 Gwent Police 79,717.97 
			 West Midlands Police 79,637.06 
			 Wiltshire Constabulary 77,581.95 
			 Devon and Cornwall Constabulary 73,873.79 
			 Gloucestershire Constabulary 68,689.99 
			 Sussex Police 66,537.54 
			 Northumbria Police 65,326.99 
			 Suffolk Constabulary 63,520.83 
			 Surrey Police 60,958.11 
			 Cheshire Constabulary 54,685.07 
			 Lincolnshire Police 46,283.80 
			 Hertfordshire Constabulary 42,303.89 
			 Cleveland Police 41,514.75 
			 Dyfed-Powys Police 40,317.06 
			 Thames Valley Police 35,533.70 
			 South Wales Police 33,018.53 
			 Humberside Police 28,997.52 
			 North Yorkshire Police 27,013.61 
			 Bedfordshire Police 26,984.45 
			 Staffordshire Police 24,824.91 
			 Hampshire Constabulary 18,574.39 
			 North Wales Police 16,362.03 
			 Essex Police 11,831.04 
			 Warwickshire Police 11,045.12 
			 City of London Police(49) 275,015.31 
		
	
	(49)Calculated per 1000 as deputation is under 100,000

Ricin

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department was informed that the substance thought to be ricin discovered in an incident in 2003 was not ricin.

Hazel Blears: An initial test conducted by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Porton Down on 6 January 2003 on an exhibit taken by police from the flat occupied by Kamal Bourgass gave an apparent positive result for ricin. However, confirmatory tests which were conducted throughout the period from 7 January 2003 to 28 January 2003 failed to detect the presence of ricin.
	Ricin was identified and confirmed on 7 January, 2003 in a second exhibit, consisting of 22 castor beans seized from the flat. Nicotine poison was also identified and confirmed. Other materials, specifically mentioned in the poison recipes recovered from the flat were also found including acetone and isopropyl alcohol.
	The Prosecuting Counsel (Mr. Sweeney QC), Crown Prosecution Service, was verbally informed of the ricin test result at a case conference on 20 March 2003, by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch was also represented at the meeting where the information was provided. The result was also provided in a written statement which was made available to the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan police at that time.
	Further tests on the first exhibit on 27/28 April 2003 also did not detect ricin.
	We do not have a record of the date this information was passed from the police to the Home Office and subsequently to Ministers.

Traffic Wardens

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Functions of Traffic Wardens (Amendment) Order 2002 to allow police and community support officers to enforce section (a) 14(3), (b) 15(2) and (c) 15(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Under the provisions of Sections 14 and 15 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence for persons who are driving or riding in motor vehicles on a road not to wear seat belts or to convey children who are not wearing seat belts. Police officers can already take enforcement action as appropriate against persons they see breaking the law in this way.
	The Functions of Traffic Wardens Order 1970, as amended by the 2002 (and other) Amendment Orders relates only to traffic wardens and cannot be amended in the way suggested.
	The powers with which Community Support Officers (CSO) can be designated are as set in Schedule four of the Police Reform Act 2002 as amended. There are no plans to increase the number of traffic powers available to CSOs. Our concern is that CSO powers should focus on issues around neighbourhood policing.

UK Passport Service (Fraud)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials employed by the United Kingdom Passport Service have been (a) investigated, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted of fraudulent issuing of passports in each passport office in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: The information requested on the number of people employed by the UK Passport Service (UKPS) who have been investigated, prosecuted and convicted of fraudulently issuing passports is given in the following table.
	The UK Passport Service takes very seriously any allegations or suspicions of fraud among members of staff. All such allegations or suspicions are investigated thoroughly and appropriate legal and disciplinary action taken where there are sound grounds to do so.
	
		
			  Investigated Prosecuted Convicted 
		
		
			 199596 1 1 (50)1 
			 199697 0 0 0 
			 199798 3 3 (51)3 
			 199899 4 1 (52)1 
			 19992000 2 0 0 
			 200001 4 0 0 
			 200102 4 1 (53)1 
			 200203 6 1 (53)1 
			 200304 16 0 0 
			 200405 9 0 0 
			 Total 49 7 7 
		
	
	(50)Glasgow
	(51)All London
	(52)Newport
	(53)London
	Notes:
	1.Prosecutions and convictions did not necessarily take place in the year an investigation commenced.
	2.These figures do not include any ongoing and current investigations which UKPS may be conducting.

Victim Support

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Victim Support will be allowed to run the new victim care units.

Fiona Mactaggart: We have been working with Victim Support and will continue to do so to develop the models for victim care units. Through the green paper Rebuilding Lives; supporting victims of crime we are consulting widely on how to deliver our proposals.
	We are making 1 million available in 200607 to pilot the models for victim care units in a number of areas. We will be working with the voluntary sector, particularly Victim Support to deliver these.

Visas

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of visa applicants were fingerprinted in November 2005.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	The total number of visa applications received at our visa issuing missions overseas in November 2005 was 172,588. Of these, approximately 5,933 applicants were fingerprinted. This represents a figure of 3.44 per cent.
	Fingerprinting of applicants is currently undertaken for applications received in Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, Djibouti, Kampala, Kigali, Asmara, Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi, Amsterdam, Colombo, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

War Crimes

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a maximum level of estimated costs for the investigation of alleged war crimes under the Geneva Convention beyond which action is deemed disproportionate to pursue.

Andy Burnham: There is no maximum level of estimated costs for the investigation of alleged war crimes under the Geneva Convention beyond which action is deemed disproportionate to pursue.
	A decision to investigate is considered on a 'case-by-case' basis and resource issues may be taken into account among other factors, including the likelihood of a successful prosecution.

War Crimes

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by the police in deciding whether to make arrests of individuals (a) upon whom warrants for war crimes under the Geneva Conventions have been served and (b) against whom allegations of war crimes have been made.

Andy Burnham: There are no set criteria used by police in deciding whether or not to arrest individuals. In respect of the two situations mentioned in the Question :
	(a) in cases where arrest warrants have been issued by a court, police should take reasonable steps to execute the warrant;
	(b) in the case of persons against whom allegations have been made arrest is an operational decision and dependent upon the circumstances of that particular case.

Window Breakages (Cautions)

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what cautioning policy has been issued by his Department for breaking (a) a domestic property window and (b) a commercial property window.

Hazel Blears: General guidance on the cautioning of adult offenders is contained in the Cautioning of Adult Offenders circular 30/2005 issued by the Home Office. The circular offers a framework to help police officers exercise their discretion and professional judgment, but does not provide guidance in relation to specific offences. The questions to consider in each case are whether a caution is appropriate to the offence and the offender, and whether a caution is likely to be effective in the circumstances.
	Broadly the criteria for cautioning are that there should be sufficient evidence of guilt and a clear and reliable admission of the offence, that it is in the public interest to use a caution as the appropriate means of disposal, and that the suspect should be 18 years or over. Indictable only cases must be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
	If all the above requirements are met, the police officer must consider whether the seriousness of the offence makes it appropriate for disposal by a caution. In order to assist with this decision, officers have been provided with a Gravity Factors Matrix, which is available on the Police National Legal Database.

Young Offenders

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people of school age (a) found guilty of a crime and (b) placed in custody had a previous history of being in care in (i) Ruislip-Northwood constituency, (ii) the London borough of Hillingdon, (iii) Greater London and (iv) England in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is not collected centrally.

HEALTH

Alcohol Misuse

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the adequacy of treatment services for alcoholics in Aylesbury Vale;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to tackle health inequalities in the area covered by the Aylesbury Vale Primary Care Trust.

Caroline Flint: I announced the launch of Alcohol Misuse Interventions: Guidance on developing a local programme of improvement as part of my keynote speech at Alcohol Concern's annual conference on 1 November 2005. The outcomes of this programme will enable local health organisations to focus on their decision-making on alcohol services at a local level. This will include identifying gaps in treatment pathways and mapping the best possible care pathways suited to need.
	Local recommendations regarding tackling health inequalities have been reviewed in the report of Director of Public Health for Vale of Aylesbury Primary Care Trust in November 2005.

Abortion

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions were performed in (a) Northampton Primary Care Trust, (b) Daventry and South Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust and (c) Northamptonshire Heartland Primary Care Trust in each of the last 10 years, broken down by the (i) reason for the procedure and (ii) age of the patient.

Rosie Winterton: The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Number of abortions to women resident in (a) Northampton, (b) Daventry and South Northamptonshire and (c) Northamptonshire Heartlands PCTs by age and reason for procedure, in 200204(54)
		
			  Age  Reason for procedure 
			  16 1617 1819 2024 2529 3034 3039 40 and over Total Section 1(1)(a)(55) Other(56) 
		
		
			 (a) Northampton PCT   
			 2004 (57) 69(1) 103 261 179 115 82 26 835 835(2) (57) 
			 2003 (57) 66(1) 94 242 154 101 79 36 772 772(2) (57) 
			 2002 10 68 88 227 143 117 64 25 742 729 13 
			 
			 (b) Daventry and South Northamptonshire PCT 
			 2004 12 23 33 61 40 38 39 14 260 260(2) (57) 
			 2003 (57) 29(1) 20 65 44 36 44 19 257 242 15 
			 2002 10 16 26 49 39 33 34 16 223 210 13 
			 
			 (c) Northamptonshire Heartlands PCT  
			 2004 19 77 96 229 158 126 82 31 818 805 13 
			 2003 30 70 103 236 156 142 89 32 858 834 24 
			 2002 21 89 93 198 173 136 102 35 847 830 17 
		
	
	(54)Prior to 2002 information was published by health authority and not directly comparable with PCTs
	(55)Section l(l)(a) of the Abortion Actthat the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family.
	(56)Other includes Sections l(l)(b)-(d) and Section 1(4) of the Act as set out below.
	Section l(l)(b)that the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman
	Section l(l)(c)that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated
	Section l(l)(d)that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped
	Section 1(4)that the termination is immediately necessary to save the life or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant women
	(57)suppressed value where the totals are between 0 and 9. For confidentiality reasons totals less than 10 are not released
	Notes:
	Total includes women age under 16 where total 16 is fewer than 10 cases and therefore not available for release.
	Total includes cases of 'other' where the total is fewer than 10 cases and therefore not available for release.

Accident and Emergency Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target is for accident and emergency waiting times; and what percentage of patients has been seen within these targets in each hospital in Devon since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The accident and emergency (AE) four-hour waiting time target is now an ongoing operational standard. national health service trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) are required to ensure that at least 98 percent., of patients in all their AEs, combined with any associated minor injuries units or walk-in-centres, are seen, treated and admitted or discharged within four hours of arrival. The Healthcare Commission measures PCT and trust performance annually against this standard. The table shows annual data held for trusts in Devon.
	
		Percentage of patients who spent less than four hours in AE from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge, 200203 to 200506
		
			 Org code Organisation 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 5FT East Devon PCT   100.0 100.0 
			 5FR Exeter PCT   100.0 100.0 
			 5FV Mid Devon PCT   100.0 100.0 
			 5FQ North Devon PCT  99.7 100.0 100.0 
			 5CV South Hams and West Devon PCT  99.9 100.0 100.0 
			 5FY Teignbridge PCT  100.0 100.0 100.0 
			 5CW Torbay PCT  100.0 100.0 100.0 
			 RWV Devon Partnership NHS Trust 
			 RBZ Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust 94.1 95.1 95.1 97.0 
			 RH8 Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust 88.9 91.0 96.7 98.6 
			 RA9 South Devon Health Care NHS Trust 87.2 91.4 95.2 97.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are not available prior to 200203.
	2.200203 data do not include Q1.
	3.200203 data are for major AE departments only.
	4.East Devon PCT and Mid Devon PCT did not monitor AE performance in 200304.
	5.East Devon PCT, Mid Devon PCT and North Devon PCT did not monitor AE performance in Ql 200405, therefore, their 200405 data is for Q2-Q4.
	6.Exeter PCT did not provide any data in Ql 200405. Therefore, their 200405 data is for Q2-Q4.
	7.200506 data are for the first two quarters of the year.
	Source:
	Department of Health dataset QMAE

Acute Trusts

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what volume of work for the private sector each acute trust in deficit in the 200405 financial year undertook in that year.

Liam Byrne: The value of private patient income for national health service trusts in deficit in 200405 is shown in the table.
	
		Private patient income for NHS trusts in deficit in 200405 -- 000
		
			  200405 
			  Deficit Private patient income 
		
		
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 30,657 868 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 21,656 2,409 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 19,876 222 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 17,819 16,658 
			 Royal West Sussex NHS Trust 15,483 2,529 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 11,744 6,609 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 11,579 3,400 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 10,217 10,129 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust 10,115 2,813 
			 Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust 10,035 4,556 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 9,978 3,723 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 9,186 403 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust 9,016 506 
			 South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust 8,898 2,355 
			 South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust 8,783 291 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 8,557 2,432 
			 The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Trust 8,499 10 
			 Bedford Hospital NHS Trust 8,480 990 
			 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 8,317 3,703 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust 7,806 172 
			 Cent Manchester/Manchester Child NHS Trust 7,727 2,179 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 7,638 737 
			 The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 7,505 456 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 6,443 1,963 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 5,461 1,135 
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust 5,154 1,687 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 4,983 3,696 
			 University College London Hospital NHS Found Trust 4,930 3,360 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 4,913 2,552 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust 4,608 87 
			 Scarborough and N.E. Yorks NHS Trust 4,506 1,571 
			 Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust 4,186 2,465 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 4,106 420 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 4,025 739 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 3,991 214 
			 Royal Nat Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 3,793 4,095 
			 Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust 3,576 108 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 3,490 57 
			 Airedale NHS Trust 3,288 1,238 
			 St. Mary's NHS Trust 3,219 10,675 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 3,217 15,772 
			 Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Found Trust 2,882 1,138 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Trust 2,734 9,661 
			 Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust 2,706 308 
			 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2,537 11 
			 Burton Hospitals NHS Trust 2,507 2,457 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 2,299 1,513 
			 Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals Trust 2,158 1,122 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 1,845 103 
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust 1,721 601 
			 Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust 1,566 1,033 
			 Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust 1,548 183 
			 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 1,189 427 
			 Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust 1,146 208 
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust 1,049 0 
			 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Found Trust 995 1,175 
			 Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust 991 1,099 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust 946 1,114 
			 George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust 786 424 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 743 3,092 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust 557 12,496 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust 535 0 
			 West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust 448 411 
			 Cambs and Peterborough MH Partnership Trust 348 0 
			 Medway NHS Trust 279 134 
			 Birmingham Women's Healthcare NHS Trust 264 1,355 
			 Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Found Trust 250 908 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 203 6 
			 Total 382,692 160,963 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures do not include foundation trusts.
	Source:
	Audited NHS trust summarisation schedules 200405.

Civil Servants

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in her Department is located in each region; what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	Department of Health staff are based in England only.
	
		Table A: Number of Department of Health staff by region -- Full-time equivalent
		
			 Government office Administrative assistant Administrative officer Executive officer Higher executive officer Senior executive officer 
		
		
			 East Midlands 3.7 7 6.15 3.86 1 
			 Eastern GOR 0 3 1.53 2 1 
			 London GOR 5 178.81 285.14 218.03 231.79 
			 North East GOR 0 1 4 5.19 4 
			 North West GOR 0.48 2 2.72 5 2 
			 South East GOR 0 1 1 0 1 
			 South West 0 0 3 0 3.61 
			 West Midlands 1 0 7 2 4 
			 Yorks and Humbs 5.4 59.41 134.24 123.37 112.28 
			 Total 15.58 252.22 444.78 359.45 360.68 
		
	
	
		
			 Government office Grade 7 Grade 6 Senior civil servant level Grand total 
		
		
			 East Midlands 5 0.87 0.7 28.28 
			 Eastern GOR 2 2 4 15.53 
			 London GOR 239.89 113.95 194.22 1,466.83 
			 North East GOR 4 0 3 21.19 
			 North West GOR 4.63 1 3 20.83 
			 South East GOR 1 0 1 5 
			 South West 3.67 0 7.83 18.11 
			 West Midlands 1 0 4 19 
			 Yorks and Humbs 151.52 63.31 53.71 703.24 
			 Total 412.71 181.13 271.46 2,298.01 
		
	
	
		Table B: Proportion of Department of Health staff by region (percentage) -- Full-time equivalent
		
			 Government office Administrative assistant Administrative officer Executive officer Higher executive officer Senior executive officer 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0.16 0.30 0.27 0.17 0.04 
			 Eastern GOR 0 0.13 0.07 0.09 0.04 
			 London GOR 0.22 7.78 12.41 9.49 10.09 
			 North East GOR 0 0.04 0.17 0.23 0.17 
			 North West GOR 0.02 0.09 0.12 0.22 0.09 
			 South East GOR 0 0.04 0.04 0 0.04 
			 South West 0 0 0.13 0 0.16 
			 West Midlands 0.04 0 0.30 0.09 0.17 
			 Yorks and Humbs 0.23 2.59 5.84 5.37 4.89 
			 Total 0.68 10.98 19.36 15.64 15.70 
		
	
	
		
			 Government office Grade 7 Grade 6 Senior civil servant level Grand total 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0.22 0.04 0.03 1.23 
			 Eastern GOR 0.09 0.09 0.17 0.68 
			 London GOR 10.40 4.96 8.45 63.83 
			 North East GOR 0.17 0 0.13 0.92 
			 North West GOR 0.20 0.04 0.13 0.91 
			 South East GOR 0.04 0 0.04 0.22 
			 South West 0.16 0 0.34 0.79 
			 West Midlands 0.04 0 0.17 0.83 
			 Yorks and Humbs 6.59 2.75 2.34 30.60 
			 Total 17.96 7.88 11.81 100 
		
	
	
		Table C: Median salary for each grade
		
			 Grade Salary () 
		
		
			 Administrative assistant 12,732 
			 Administrative officer 16,559 
			 Executive officer 22,344 
			 Higher executive officer 27,410 
			 Senior executive officer 33,906 
			 Grade 7 44,854 
			 Grade 6 56,333 
			 Senior civil servant level 75,190 
		
	
	Note:
	The data shown in all tables are at 1 April 2005.

Consultants

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what rules apply to the length of time that should elapse before a consultant employed by her Department, involved in awarding a contract to a company, can work for that company or receive payment from it; and how such rules are enforced;
	(2)  what mechanisms are in place to monitor possible conflicts of interest when commissioning is carried out by a private sector organisation appointed by a tendering mechanism;
	(3)  what criteria are used to judge potential conflicts of interest when a company bidding for an NHS contract has an employee who has been engaged or employed by her Department within the past two years; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The period that should elapse before a consultant previously employed by the Department may work or receive payment from a company that has been awarded a contract is determined on a case-by-case basis.
	Departmental staff are required to obtain Government approval before taking up any form of full-time, part-time, fee-paid employment in the United Kingdom, or overseas in a public or private company or in the service of a foreign government or its agencies. For the most senior grades, the Prime Minister, on advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, decides whether conditions should be applied to business appointments and, if so, what they should be.
	Public procurement regulations require that the range of organisations involved in the procurement process disclose potential conflicts of interest. This covers: civil servants, contractors engaged by the Department, bidders, and employees and contractors engaged by the national health service.

Dentistry

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the locations of the dental access centres operating in England, broken down by primary care trust.

Rosie Winterton: The locations of the 53 dental access centres in England, which provide access to national health service dentistry across 85 sites, are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Strategic health authority Primary care trust Address 
		
		
			 Kent and Medway Ashford Ashford Dental Access Centre, Vicarage Lane Clinic, Vicarage Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1NJ 
			 North Central London Barnet Dental Access Centre, Edgware Community Hospital, Burnt Oak Broadway. Edgware. Middlesex. HA8 OAD 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Bath and North East Somerset Bath Dental Access Centre, Bluecoat House, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1EY 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Bath and North East Somerset Rush Hill Dental Access Centre, Lower Ground Floor, 20 Rush Hill, Bath, BA2 2QH 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Bath and North East Somerset Radstock Dental Access Centre, Leigh House, 1 Wells Road, Radstock, BA3 3RN 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Bedford The Dental Access Centre, 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2NT 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Bristol North Dental Access Centre, Charlotte Keel Health Clinic, Seymour Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0UA 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Bristol South and West Bristol City Gate, Dental Access Centre, 33 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EZ 
			 South East London Bromley Bromley Access Centre, The White House, 52 High Street, Pence, London, SE20 7HB 
			 Greater Manchester Bury Bury Dental Access Centre, 18 Parsons Lane, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 OJZ 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Cambridge City Cambridge Dental Access Centre, Chesterton Medical Centre, Union Lane, Cambridge, CB4 1PX 
			 Kent and Medway Canterbury and Coastal Herne Bay Dental Access Centre, Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, King Edward Avenue, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6EB 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Central Cheshire Winsford Dental Access Centre, Winsford Health Centre, High Street, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2AS 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Central Cheshire Northwich Dental Access Centre, Victoria Infirmary, Winnington Hill. Northwich. Cheshire. CW8 1AN 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Central Liverpool Old Swan Dental Access Centre, Old Swan Health Centre. Crystal Close. Liverpool. L13 2GA 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Daventry and South Northamptonshire Towcester Dental Access Centre, Towcester Health Centre, Swinneyford Road, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6HD 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire East Cambridgeshire Dental Access Centre PDS, 12 Church Mews, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. PE13 1HL 
			 Kent and Medway East Kent Coastal Ramsgate Dental Access Centre, Newington Road Clinic, Newington Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 OQU 
			 Kent and Medway East Kent Coastal Dental Access Centre, Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1RH 
			 Trent East Lincolnshire Mablethorpe Dental Access Centre, The Health Centre, 97 Victoria Road. Mablethorpe. Lincolnshire. LN12 2AL 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern East Yorkshire Dental Access Centre, Goole Health Clinic, Bartholomew Avenue. Goole. DN14 6AW 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern East Yorkshire Cottingham Dental Access Centre, King Street, Cottingham. North Humberside. HU16 5OJ 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Eastern Cheshire Eastern Cheshire Pct, Dental Access Centre, 89 Churchill Way, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6AT 
			 North Central London Enfield Dental Access Centre, North Middlesex Hospital, Sterling Way, Edmonton, London, N18 1QX 
			 South West Peninsula Exeter Exeter Dental Access Centre, Royal Devon  Exeter Hospital, Gladstone Road, Exeter, EX1 2ED 
			 Surrey and Sussex Guildford and Waverley Dental Access Centre, Buryfields Dental Clinic ,61 Buryfields, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4AX 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Halton Runcorn Dental Access Centre, 6768 Town Walk, Halton Lea, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2GY 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Gaol Street Clinic, Gaol Street, Hereford, HR1 2HU 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Mobile Unit, Dental Access Centre, Gaol Street Clinic, Gaol Street .Hereford, HR1 2HU 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Old Bakery, Ewyas Harold, Hereford, HR2 OEX 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Ross Road Health Clinic, Ross Road, Hereford, HR2 7RL 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Kington Court, Community Care Centre, Victoria Road, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3BX 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Leominster Community Hospital, South Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8JH 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Ledbury Community Health Centre. Market Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2AO 
			 West Midlands South Herefordshire Dental Access Centre, Ross-On-Wye Community Hospital, Alton Street, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5AD 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Huntingdonshire Huntingdon Dental Access Centre, Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust, Hinchingbrooke Parke, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6NT 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Kennet and North Wiltshire Dental Access Centre, Chippenham Community Hospital, Rowden Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2AJ 
			 West Yorkshire Leeds North West Leeds Dental Access Centre, Lexicon House, Wilmington Grove, Leeds, LS7 2BQ 
			 Dorset and Somerset Mendip Dental Access Centre, Chantry House, Park Road, Frome, BA11 1EY 
			 Dorset and Somerset Mendip Glastonbury Dental Access Centre, The Health Centre, Wells Road, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9DD 
			 Thames Valley Milton Keynes Dental Access Centre, Shipley Court, Marsh End Road, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 8EA 
			 Thames Valley Milton Keynes Westcroft Dental Access Centre, 16 Barnsdale Drive, Westcroft, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DD 
			 Thames Valley Milton Keynes Milton Keynes NHS Dental Access Centre, Eaglestone Health Centre, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5AZ 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Morecambe Bay Barrow Dental Access Centre, Unit 5, Old Fire Station, Abbey Road, Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria LA14 1XH 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Morecambe Bay Dental Access Centre, Abbey Road Clinic, Abbey Road, Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 1XH 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Morecambe Bay Morecambe Dental Access Centre, The Queen Victoria Centre, Thornton Road, Morecambe, LA4 5NN 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Newcastle Dental Access Centre, Benton House, Sandyford Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 1DD 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Newcastle Dental Access Centre, Benton House, Sandyford Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 ID 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Newcastle Dental Access Centre, Arthurs Hill Clinic, Douglas Terrace, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 6BT 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Newcastle Dental Access Centre, Geoffrey Rhodes Centre, Algernon Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 2UZ 
			 Thames Valley North East Oxfordshire Dental Access Centre, Kidlington Health Centre, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1AP 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Northampton Northampton Dental Access Centre, 2226 St. Leonards Road, Far Cotton, Northampton, NN4 8DP 
			 Thames Valley Oxford City East Oxford Dental Access Centre, Raglan House, 23 Between Towns Road, Oxford, OX4 3JH 
			 South West Peninsula Plymouth The Dental Access Centre, 1a Baring Street, Plymouth, PL4 8NF 
			 South West Peninsula Plymouth Dental Access Centre, Nuffield Clinic, Baring Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8NQ 
			 Thames Valley Reading Dental Access Centre, Welfare Clinic, School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5AS 
			 Greater Manchester Rochdale Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust, Dental Access Centre, 90 Whitehall Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 0ND 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Shropshire County Dental Access Centre, Shropshire Area Health Authority, Health Centre, Victoria Road, Oswestry, SY11 2PQ 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Shropshire County Dental Access Centre, Tenbury and District Hospital, Worcester Road, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, WR15 8AP 
			 Thames Valley Slough Dental Access Centre, NHS Walk-In Centre, Upton Hospital, Albert Street, Slough, SL1 2BJ 
			 Dorset and Somerset Somerset Coast Bridgwater Dental Access Centre, Bridgwater Dental Clinic, Bridgwater Community Hospital, Salmon Parade, Bridgwater, TA6 5AH 
			 Dorset and Somerset Somerset Coast Burnham Dental Access Centre, War Memorial Hospital, Love Lane, Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, TA8 1ED 
			 Dorset and Somerset South Somerset Dental Access Centre, Yeovil Dental Clinic, Summerlands Hospital Site, Preston Road Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2BX 
			 West Midlands South South Warwickshire Dental Access Centre, Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital, Heathcote Lane, Warwick, CV34 6SR 
			 Thames Valley South West Oxfordshire Didcot Dental Access Centre, Didcot Hospital, Wantage Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 OAG 
			 West Midlands South South Worcestershire Dental Access Centre, Osbourne Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 1JE 
			 West Midlands South South Worcestershire Dental Access Centre, Malvern Health Centre (Mobile), Victoria Park Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2JY 
			 West Midlands South South Worcestershire Dental Access Centre, Victoria Health Centre, Victoria Park Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2JY 
			 Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Southampton City Southampton Dental Access Centre, 31 University Road, Highfield, Southampton, S017 1TL 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside St Helens Dental Access Centre, Central Dental Clinic, College Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1UH 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Swindon Dental Access Centre, Swindon Health Centre, Carfax Street, Swindon, SN1 1ED 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Swindon Swindon Dental Access Centre, West Swindon Health Centre, Link Avenue, Swindon,SN5 7DL 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Telford and Wrekin Telford Dental Access Centre, Doseley Road North, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3AL 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country Walsall Teaching Dental Access Centre, NHS Walk-In Health Centre, 1921 Digbeth, Walsall, WS1 1QZ 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Warrington Warrington Dental Access Centre, Unit 78 The Mall, Cockhedge Shopping Centre, Warrington, WA1 1QE 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire West Cumbria Egremont Dental Access Centre, St. Bridgets Lane, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2BD 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire West Cumbria Egremont Dental Access Centre, 55 Main Street, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2DB 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern West Hull Hull NHS Dental Access Centre, 7175 Jameson Street, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU1 3JF 
			 Trent West Lincolnshire Lincoln Dental Access Centre, 134 Dixon Street, Lincoln, LN6 7TU 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire West Norfolk Dental Access Centre, 6 King Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1ES 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire West Wiltshire Westbury Dental Access Centre, Westbury and District Hospital, The Butts, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 3EL 
			 Surrey and Sussex Woking Area Bournewood Community NHS Trust, Woking NHS Dental Access Centre, Woking Community Hospital, Heathside Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 7HS 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Withernsea Dental Access Centre, Withernsea Hospital, Queen Street, Withernsea, HU19 2OB 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Driffield Dental Access Centre, 8 Market Place, Driffield, North Humberside, YO25 6AP 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Pocklington Dental Access Centre, 14 Market Place, Pocklington, York, YO42 2AR

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental access centres there are in England; and where they are situated.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor) today.

Dentistry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on access to NHS dental treatment in the Chorley and South Ribble primary care trust area;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to increase the number of dentists accepting patients on the NHS in the Chorley and South Ribble primary care trust area.

Rosie Winterton: The number of dental practices in Chorley and South Ribble primary care trust (PCT) area is 30, of which 11 have open personal dental service (PDS) contracts.
	Access has improved in 2005 and it is estimated that 51 per cent. of the local population are registered with a national health service dentist.
	The Government is reforming NHS dentistry to create a locally focussed service which people can access where and when they need to. Major changes to improve access include:
	A new contractual framework for dentists to be introduced in April 2006, based on PDS pilots that better promote oral health, improve access to services and improve the quality of dentists' working lives;
	a programme which recruited the equivalent of 1,000 dentists by the end of October 2005 with the capacity to treat some 2 million people in areas of the country where access to dentistry needs improving;
	53 dental access centres across the country where people can be treated without an appointment and without needing to be registered;
	an advice service from NHS Direct to help people find a dentist who will provide NHS treatment.
	These major changes have been supported by an unprecedented level of Government investment which is set to increase by 19 per cent. over two years (200506 over 200304). This will result in an extra spend of over 250 million a year in primary care dentistry.
	From April 2006 under the new national contract, the PCT will be responsible for the commissioning of all dental services. Over the next two years (200607 and 200708) Chorley and South Ribble PCT will receive a cash increase of over 44.3 million (19.9 per cent.)

Dentistry

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were employed in the public sector in each of the last 30 years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested in shown in the following table.
	
		The numbers of dentists employed in the hospital and community health service (HCHS), in England at 30 September each year.
		
			  All HCHS dental staff Hospital dental staff Community health service dental staff 
		
		
			 1975 3,792 1,673 2,119 
			 1976 3,782 1,709 2,073 
			 1977 3,739 1,784 1,955 
			 1978 3,860 1,847 2,013 
			 1979 3,888 1,893 1,995 
			 1980 3,867 1,931 1,936 
			 1981 3,867 1,934 1,933 
			 1982 3,894 1,959 1,935 
			 1983 3,876 1,937 1,939 
			 1984 3,880 2,025 1,855 
			 1985 3,907 2,043 1,864 
			 1986 3,892 2,056 1,836 
			 1987 3,711 1,950 1,761 
			 1988 3,652 1,990 1,662 
			 1989 3,655 2,010 1,645 
			 1990 3,629 2,052 1,577 
			 1991 3,479 2,010 1,469 
			 1992 3,493 2,076 1,417 
			 1993 3,462 2,070 1,392 
			 1994 3,372 2,067 1,305 
			 1995 3,456 2,139 1,317 
			 1996 3,490 2,113 1,377 
			 1997 3,567 2,188 1,379 
			 1998 3,610 2,225 1,385 
			 1999 3,616 2,248 1,368 
			 2000 3,530 2,187 1,343 
			 2001 3,532 2,184 1,348 
			 2002 3,654 2,223 1,431 
			 2003 3,763 2,245 1,518 
			 2004 3,852 2,279 1,573 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental Workforce Census
	The vast majority of general dental services and personal dental services dentists are self-employed contractors who provide services to patients on behalf of the national health service but are remunerated through public funds.

Departmental Assets

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement clarifying what the 10 most valuable (a) movable and (b) immovable assets owned by her Department are.

Liam Byrne: The following table lists the top ten moveable and top ten immoveable fixed assets in the books of the Department of Health.
	
		Description of asset
		
			   
		
		
			 Immoveable fixed assets  
			 Harperbury Hospital, Radlett 76,700,608 
			 Richmond House, London 39,441,362 
			 St. James Hospital, Portsmouth 37,082,361 
			 West Park Hospital, Epsom 34,300,000 
			 Land-Warneford Hospital, Oxford 30,900,000 
			 Runwell Hospital, Wickford 24,459,790 
			 St Ebbas Hospital, Epsom 23,283,855 
			 Wellington House, London 18,677,010 
			 Little Plumstead Hospital, Little Plumstead 14,844,777 
			 Clamp Hill Hospital, Harrow, London 14,500,000 
			   
			 Moveable fixed assets  
			 Electronic Staff Records 200405-Country-wide-Asset Under Construction 79,852,333 
			 Software Licences from Microsoft 75,583,418 
			 Local Service Provider North West 57,310,442 
			 Spine Project-the core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 44,835,458 
			 Spine Project-the core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 21,250,000 
			 Software Licences-Oracle-National Programme For Information Technology 21,197,152 
			 Spine Project-the core NHS Care Records Service to ensure highly available and highly resilient live Systems delivered in several phases 20,887,632 
			 National Software Licences from Microsoft 17,290,037 
			 Picture Archive Communication System (PACS)-Assets Under Construction 10,127,000 
			 Connecting for Health-Electronic Booking-Assets Under Construction 8,000,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Immoveable assets are land and buildings and any plant and machinery that form an integral part of the land and buildings (such as central heating and air conditioning systems, for example)
	2.Moveable assets are any asset that is not an immoveable asset.
	3.The amounts are stated at net current cost adjusted to net current replacement cost as at 31 October 2005.
	Source:
	Department of Health Fixed Assets Register
	I regret the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2272W was incorrect.

Departmental Jobs (Regional Distribution)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of jobs in (a) her Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body, (ii) executive agency and (iii) other public body for which her Department is responsible are located in (A)England, excluding Greater London, and (B) Greater London.

Jane Kennedy: The figures are published in table D of Civil Service Statistics, which covers permanent staff numbers (full time equivalent). This information is available at the following address on the Cabinet Office's statistics website at:www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_service/statistics/index.asp.
	The total number of staff employed by executive non-Departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department as at 31 March 2005 is recorded in table two of Public Bodies 2005, a copy of which is available in the Library and is also available on the Cabinet Office's website at www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/ndpb/ndpb.nsf. However, Public Bodies does not give the regional breakdowns sought and those data are not held by the Department. They could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The number of staff employed in the Department's executive agencies as at 1 April 2004, including a regional analysis, is available in Civil Service Statistics 2004, published in February 2005. A copy is available in the Library and is also available on the Cabinet Office's website at: www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_ civil_service/statistics/civil_servicestatistics/index.asp and www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_ service/statistics/contents_for_civil_service_statistics_ 2004_report/index.asp

Diabetes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress with the national service framework for diabetes.

Rosie Winterton: A full report on progress of the implementation of the national service framework for diabetes will be published in the spring.

Diabetes

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the extent of screening for diabetes.

Rosie Winterton: The national service framework for diabetes states that there is emerging evidence to suggest that it may be clinically and cost effective to offer screening for diabetes to those sub-groups of the population at increased risk of developing the condition. The United Kingdom National Screening Committee considered screening for type two diabetes at its meeting on 29 November 2005 and I expect to receive its advice on the next steps shortly.
	Information is not held centrally about screening currently undertaken in primary care locally.

Electronic Patient Records

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) timescale is for and (b) estimated cost is of implementation of NHS electronic patient records.

Liam Byrne: Initial implementation of the national health service care records service (NHS CRS) began in the summer of 2004 with the introduction of a personal demographic service containing personal identity details of patients; access controls to ensure secure service system access via Smartcard; a messaging service with the standard messaging protocols; and a spine directory service containing reference file information. Over time each person's NHS care record will build into a comprehensive patient history with a summary of patient information available at the point of need anywhere in the NHS in England. The final phase of the NHS CRS, by 2010, will be the full integration of health and social care information systems across England.
	A contract to the value of 620 million was awarded in 2003 from central expenditure for the creation of the national database of key information about patients' health and care, which is the core component of the NHS CRS. The contract covers on-going funding of core deliverables and the connection of existing systems to national applications. However, it does not include all the costs of implementation at local level, such as training national health service staff or local change management costs, which are planned to be borne by individual NHS organisations out of baseline budgets.

Emergency Contraception

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued for emergency contraception in (a) Northampton primary care trust, (b) Daventry and South Northamptonshire primary care trust and (c) Northamptonshire Heartlands primary care trust, in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Prescriptions issued for emergency hormonal contraception for the period October 2004 to September 2005
		
			 Primary care trust Number of prescriptions 
		
		
			 Daventry and South Northamptonshire 964 
			 Northampton 1666 
			 Northamptonshire Heartlands 2186 
		
	
	Emergency contraception is also available through community contraception clinics, and can be purchased 'over the counter' by those aged over 16. The Department does not hold data centrally on the latter.
	Community contraceptive clinic services in these localities are provided by Northamptonshire Healthcare national health service trust. That trust reported prescribing hormonal post-coital contraceptives on 1,023 occasions in 200405.

Ethnicity Guidance

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued on recording of ethnicity in (a) primary and (b) secondary care.

Rosie Winterton: The use of appropriate ethnic and other equality data is very important to the National Health Service. Without recording ethnicity, the NHS would not be able to check that its access and treatments are equitable to all communities.
	Revised guidance on ethnicity monitoring of NHS patients and social care users was published in July 2005. This guidance applies to primary and secondary care settings and confirms the use of Office for National Statistics codes for ethnic groups as the NHS standard.

EU Directives

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the EU Directive on Services in the Internal Market on (a) the national health service and (b) privately-owned care homes owned by an identity based in another EU member state.

Rosie Winterton: Since the replies I gave on 12 September, 2005, Official Report, columns 26856W, to similar questions tabled by my hon. Friend, the situation remains that negotiations on the draft European Union directive on services in the internal market are on-going. Until the text is finalised it is difficult to assess its precise effects on particular sectors.
	A number of general impact assessments are available. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has performed a partial regulatory impact assessment for the proposal, which indicates that the general benefits are likely to be substantial. This is available on DTI's website at www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics2/pdf2/servicesria.pdf. An independent consultancy, Copenhagen Economics, has also assessed the general economic impact of the directive. They predicted that the services directive would add 25 billion to the EU economy, create an extra 600,000 jobs, boost EU gross domestic product by 0.6 per cent., and lead to an increase in real wages of 0.4 per cent.
	In addition to these general impact assessments, the Department has held informal consultations and taken the views of relevant parties concerning the possible impact of the services directive on the national health service and on social care providers. No economic analysis has been carried out to date.
	The United Kingdom Government's position is to seek an exclusion for publicly-funded healthcare from the scope of the Directive, plus a derogation for all healthcare from the country of origin principle, and the deletion of Article 23 on the assumption of healthcare costs.

Food Supplements Directive

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on what date (a) the Food Standards Agency adopted formal advice to Ministers in relation to proposed objectives for the finalisation of the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive and (b) she reached a conclusion on that advice; what that conclusion was; what steps have been taken since within the EU by (i) her Department and (ii) the Food Standards Agency to further her objectives for further negotiations on the Directive; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  when she next plans to meet consumer and industry stakeholders to discuss progress on the interpretation and implementation of the Food Supplements Directive.

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) board discussed proposed objectives for the finalisation of the provisions of the food supplements directive, in terms of the setting of maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements on 15 September 2005. Ministers were advised of the FSA board's position on 11 October. I accepted this advice on 22 November 2005. FSA officials have had a preliminary discussion with the European Commission on the issue of setting maximum safe levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements.
	I met FSA officials on 19 December 2005 to agree further action in Europe to be taken in early 2006. I plan to meet consumer and industry stakeholders to discuss the
	progress and implementation of the food supplements directive in early 2006

General Ophthalmic Service

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will undertake the review of the General Ophthalmic Service announced on 29 August.

Rosie Winterton: The review of general ophthalmic services is currently underway.
	When we announced the review in August 2005, we indicated that we expected the review to report in early 2006. It is now likely that the review will report later in 2006. This takes into account arguments put forward by the main representative bodies for extending the time scale to ensure full consideration of the issues. It will also ensure that the review is able to reflect the forthcoming White Paper on services outside hospital.

Gershon Review

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what savings were identified in her Department as a result of the Gershon Review; and what progress has been made towards making these savings to date.

Liam Byrne: The Gershon Review required the Department to achieve 6.5 billion of annual efficiency gains by March 2008.
	We have achieved 1.7 billion of this total up to September 2005. Details of these savings have been provided in our autumn performance report published on 7 December.

Heroin Addicts

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the use of Suboxone in treating heroin addicts.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 9 January 2006
	Suboxone does not currently have marketing authorisation in the United Kingdom.
	The Department has assessed the evidence for use of buprenorphine, the active ingredient of Suboxone, and has actively supported its increasing use, working with the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), and by pursuing a number of measures:
	Regulations were amended by the Department in 2001 to ensure buprenorphine could be prescribed using instalment dispensing, to make it easier to use in the management of drug addiction
	In 2003, clinical guidance referring to the key research evidence on buprenorphine was published in the NTA document, Prescribing services for drug misuse, which supported its use as a treatment alongside other treatments such as methadone prescribing.
	The Department has subsequently asked the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to carry out a technology appraisal on methadone and buprenorphine as opiate substitutes. That is currently under way and due to report in March 2007.
	The Department's Clinical Guidelines (1999) 1 promote the use of supervised consumption. That NTA has also promoted the availability of pharmacy supervised consumption schemes. Supervised consumptionin order to minimise the risk of inappropriate injecting of prescribed buprenorphineis feasible in the UK context. With careful selection for its suitable use, it does provide an additional option to the pharmacological approach that Suboxone might offer in this regard.
	Source:
	1 Drug misuse and dependenceguidelines on clinical management (HMSO, 1999)

HIV/AIDS

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in England under the age of 16 years are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: 903 children under the age of 16 are currently reported to be living with a diagnosis of HIV infection in England.
	Notes
	1.Data received and processed by 16 December 2005. 2.These data do not include diagnosed children who are known to have died or left the country.
	Source
	National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood, Institute of Child Health, London.

Hospices

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate her Department has made of the effect on costs to the NHS of the contribution of the hospice movement.

Rosie Winterton: We acknowledge the valuable contribution the voluntary sector makes to the provision of palliative and specialist palliative care services. We have not made any estimate of the effect on costs to the national health service of the contribution of the hospice movement. However, data from the voluntary organisation Help the Hospices show that the total expenditure from all adult voluntary hospices in England in 2004 was 286 million, of which 97.8 million was from national health service funding, an average of 34 per cent. of hospices' expenditure.

Hospital Admissions

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate she has made of (a) the percentage of hospital admissions which are due to adverse drug reactions and (b) the resultant cost to the public purse.

Jane Kennedy: Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Commission for Human Medicines (CHM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card Scheme. Approximately 20,000 reports of ADRs are reported to the MHRA/CHM through this scheme each year. Between 1 December 2004 and 30 November 2005, 18,482 reports were received. Of these 4,018 (28 per cent.) reported that the suspected ADR involved or prolonged in-patient hospitalisation. It is not possible to estimate from the Yellow Card Scheme the number of people who suffer adverse reactions to drugs since the scheme is associated with an unknown level of under-reporting.
	Addressing the impact of adverse drug reactions on public health is a key concern for the MHRA. A study funded by the MHRA and published in the British Medical Journal on 2 July 2004, was conducted in two large hospitals in Merseyside in order to ascertain the current burden of ADRs in the NHS. The study found that of 18,820 patients aged over 16 years admitted to hospital over a six month period, there were 1,225 admissions judged to be related to an adverse drug reaction (ADR), giving a prevalence of 6.5 per cent. Of these 1,225, the ADR was judged to lead directly to the admission in 80 per cent. of cases. The median bed stay was eight days, accounting for 4 per cent. of the hospital bed capacity. The projected annual cost of such admissions to the NHS is 466 million.

Hospital Facilities

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS in-patients shared a mixed sex sleeping area at some point during their hospital stay in the last year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The proportion of national health service in-patients reporting sharing a room or bay with members of the opposite sex was measured through the 2004 acute adult in-patient survey, administered by the Healthcare Commission. This was conducted in 169 acute and specialist NHS trusts in England that care for adult patients. The response rate to this survey was 63 per cent.
	The results of this survey showed that on average, 22 per cent. of patients shared a room or bay while in hospital. This is a fall of 4 percentage points from the previous survey conducted in 2002, and reflects the progress made by the NHS in eliminating mixed-sex accommodation. Results at national and individual trust level are published on the Healthcare Commission website at www.healthcarecommission.org.uk.
	The Department has set clear standards for the provision of single-sex accommodation in the NHS. in 2005, 97 per cent. of NHS trusts met these standards, which cover a broader range of issues than the Healthcare Commission's survey, including the provision of separate sanitary facilities for men and women, issues of privacy, dignity and respect and criteria to ensure the safety of patients in mental health settings.

Hospital Hygiene

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the merits of (a) compulsory wearing of facemasks by staff dealing directly with patients, (b) compulsory routine testing of all hospital staff for infections and (c) prohibition of hospital uniforms being worn offsite.

Jane Kennedy: National evidence based guidelines1,2 do not identify any clinical benefit from wearing facemasks to protect patients during routine ward procedures such as wound dressing or invasive medical procedures.
	Screening for healthcare associated infections is not routinely recommended for staff.
	It is for individual trusts to determine their own policies on the wearing of uniforms in and around the workplace.
	Many trusts have uniform policies in place for all staff stating that staff should not wear uniforms outside of the work place, unless working in the community or on official hospital business. Many also state that uniforms worn outside of the workplace should be covered with a full-length coat.
	Source:
	1 The epic project: developing national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare association infections phase 1: guidelines for preventing hospital-acquired infections J Hosp Infect; 2001, 47(suppl) S3-S82 2 The epic project. Updating the evidence-base for national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections in NHS hospitals in England: a report with recommendations. British Journal of Infection Control December 2004 Vol. 5 No. 6 Pellowe CM, Pratt RJ, Loveday HP, Harper P, Robinson M, Hones SRLJ

Hospital-acquired Infection

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) incidents of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and (b) deaths due to HAI there have been in the national health service in each year since 1996.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 5 July 2005
	Information on the number of cases of all hospital acquired infection is not available.
	The best available information is on meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections from mandatory surveillance system at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/40/15/04114015.pdf which was introduced in April 2001. National totals for the first four years are shown in the table.
	
		Reports under the mandatory MRSA bacteraemia surveillance system (acute national health service trust, England)
		
			  Number MRSA bacteraemia 
		
		
			 April 2001 to March 2002 7,249 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 7,373 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 7,684 
			 April 2004 to March 2004 7,212 
		
	
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency
	It is not possible to give reliable figures on the number of deaths involving hospital-acquired infections from routinely collected mortality data, as information on whether the infection was acquired in hospital or elsewhere may not be available to the doctor certifying the death.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 666W, on influenza, whether she has plans to vaccinate poultry handlers against influenza of subtype A/H5N1 should a vaccine become available; and what plans she has to vaccinate poultry handlers against other forms of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Caroline Flint: The Government have already announced their plans to purchase a small stockpile of new A/H5N1 vaccine that is currently being developed. Though it is intended that this will initially be used for research purposes, its use for poultry workers and others at serious risk of exposure to infection will be considered in the event of an outbreak of H5N1 in poultry flocks.
	There are no plans to vaccinate poultry handlers against other forms of avian influenza as there are no suitable vaccines available.
	In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry, seasonal human influenza vaccine will be offered to all those considered to be at risk of exposure to infection in addition to antiviral therapy.

Isolation Units

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) how many isolation units there are in each region; and where each is located;
	(2)  how many positive-negative pressure isolation rooms exist within the NHS; and where they are located.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not collect information on isolation facilities but has issued guidance that trusts should ensure adequate provision.
	Health Service Circular 2000/2002 on the Management and control of hospital infection required trusts to undertake a risk assessment to determine appropriate provision of isolation facilities within each trust. Winning Ways (December 2003) states that national health service trust chief executives will ensure over time that there is appropriate provision of isolation facilities within their healthcare facilities.

Medical Equipment (Supply Contracts)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with which companies based in the UK her Department has contracts for the supply of medical equipment.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Medical Staff (Attacks)

Alan Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases were recorded of attacks on (a) ambulance crews and (b) nurses in each year since 200304; how many there were in 200506; how many prosecutions were pursued in each case; and what sentences were imposed on those found guilty in each case where all proceedings are complete.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally in the format requested. The national health service security management service (NHS SMS) is currently in the process of compiling and validating the first ever accurate figures for the levels of physical assault on NHS staff in 200405 for the acute, primary care and ambulance services; these will be released in the near future.
	Information relating to the number of physical assaults on staff working in NHS mental health and learning disability environments was released on 19 October 2005; these totalled 43,301 for the period 200405. In 200203 there were 59,992 violent incidents in these settings.
	The number of successful prosecutions involving physical assaults on NHS staff for 200405 was 759; a 15fold rise over the 51 such prosecutions identified in 200203. In 200405 there were 100 successful prosecutions involving assaults on ambulance staff.
	No information on sentences imposed on offenders was collated for this period.

Mental Health

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which 50 areas have the highest proportion of registered mentally ill people per 10,000 head of population.

Rosie Winterton: The 50 primary care trusts (PCTs) with the highest number of admissions of patients with a mental illness per 10,000 of population in England in 200304 is shown in table 1.
	Table 2 shows the number of formal admissions of patients detained under the 1983 Mental Health Act among all national health service care providers in England. There is a direct relationship between the number of admissions and the size of a trust's work force and the capacity of a unit.
	
		Table 1: Admission rates, per 10,000 population, to NHS hospitals under mental illness specialities by PCT of residence, 200304
		
			  PCT code  PCT name Rate per 10,000 population 
		
		
			 5GR Basildon PCT 99 
			 5GQ Thurrock PCT 73 
			 5ME North Stoke PCT 68 
			 5AK Southend on Sea PCT 66 
			 5L1 Southampton City PCT 66 
			 5EJ Leicester City West PCT 62 
			 5FT East Devon PCT 57 
			 5JE Barnsley PCT 57 
			 5GH North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT 57 
			 5M1 South Birmingham PCT 54 
			 5FJ Hastings and St. Leonards PCT 54 
			 5GP Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT 54 
			 5MF South Stoke PCT 52 
			 5HL South Leeds PCT 51 
			 5LW Northampton PCT 50 
			 SAL Central Derby PCT 50 
			 5NC Waltham Forest PCT 50 
			 5CE Bournemouth Teaching PCT 50 
			 5C9 Haringey Teaching PCT 50 
			 5J4 Knowsley PCT 49 
			 5CK Doncaster Central PCT 49 
			 5LD Lambeth PCT 48 
			 5A2 Norwich PCT 48 
			 5LR Eastbourne Downs PCT 48 
			 5AW Airedale PCT 48 
			 5LJ Huddersfield Central PCT 47 
			 5EY Eastern Leicester PCT 47 
			 5E8 Wakefield West PCT 47 
			 5KJ Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT 47 
			 5FA Ashfield PCT 46 
			 5DR Wyre Forest PCT 46 
			 5E7 Eastern Wakefield PCT 46 
			 5A1 New Forest PCT 46 
			 5KG South Tyneside PCT 45 
			 5LQ Brighton and Hove City PCT 45 
			 5H1 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 45 
			 5HA Central Liverpool PCT 44 
			 5FQ North Devon PCT 44 
			 5G9 North Liverpool PCT 44 
			 5A8 Greenwich PCT 44 
			 5L9 Western Sussex PCT 44 
			 5K8 Islington PCT 43 
			 5FV Mid Devon PCT 43 
			 5C5 Newham PCT 43 
			 SHY Hounslow PCT 43 
			 5LG Wandsworth PCT 43 
			 5FR Exeter PCT 43 
			 5A5 Kingston PCT 43 
			 5HW Newcastle-under-Lyme PCT 43 
			 5J1 Halton PCT 43 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre
	
		Table 2: Admissions to NHS hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 by care provider, England, 200304
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 England 24,832 
			   
			 North East 1,170 
			   
			 County Durham and Darlington Priority Services 229 
			 Gateshead Health 53 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals 2 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental  Health 339 
			 Northgate and Prudhoe 59 
			 Northumbria Health Care 11 
			 South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health 202 
			 Tees and North East Yorkshire 275 
			   
			 North West 3,299 
			   
			 5 Boroughs Partnership 285 
			 Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health 464 
			 Calderstones 18 
			 Cheshire and Wirral Partnership 329 
			 Lancashire Care 616 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care 488 
			 Mersey Care 366 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT 155 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals 4 
			 North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities 113 
			 Pennine Care 461 
			 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital  
			   
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 1,857 
			   
			 Barnsley PCT 69 
			 Bradford District Care 266 
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT 37 
			 Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare 196 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT 36 
			 Harrogate Health Care 2 
			 Hull and East Riding Community Health 209 
			 Leeds Mental Health Teaching 348 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals  
			 Rotherham PCT  
			 Selby and York PCT 89 
			 Sheffield Care Trust 231 
			 Sheffield Childrens 3 
			 South West Yorkshire Mental Health 371 
			 York Hospitals  
			   
			 East Midlands 1,705 
			   
			 Chesterfield PCT 33 
			 Derbyshire Mental Health Services 357 
			 High Peak and Dales PCT 13 
			 Leicestershire Partnership 368 
			 Lincolnshire Partnership 183 
			 North Eastern Derbyshire PCT 5 
			 Northampton General Hospital  
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare 268 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare 478 
			   
			 West Midlands 2,697 
			   
			 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health 765 
			 Birmingham Children's Hospital 10 
			 Coventry PCT 211 
			 Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT 95 
			 Dudley South PCT 2 
			 Herefordshire PCT 65 
			 North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare 216 
			 North Warwickshire PCT 92 
			 Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals 4 
			 Sandwell Mental Health and Social Care 137 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals 4 
			 Shropshire County PCT 313 
			 South Birmingham PCT 10 
			 South Staffordshire Healthcare 183 
			 South Warwickshire PCT 82 
			 Walsall Hospitals 12 
			 Walsall PCT 168 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 120 
			 Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership 208 
			 East of England 2,275 
			   
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Community 329 
			 Cambridge and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership 245 
			 Colchester PCT 7 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership 428 
			 James Paget Healthcare 1 
			 Local Health Partnerships 237 
			 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital  
			 Norfolk Mental Health Care 388 
			 North Essex Mental Health Partnership 337 
			 Norwich PCI 9 
			 South Essex Partnership 234 
			 West Norfolk PCT 60 
			   
			 London 5,695 
			   
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health 696 
			 Barts and The London 2 
			 Brent PCT 3 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care 548 
			 Central and North West London Mental Health 595 
			 East London and The City Mental Health 629 
			 King's College Hospital 7 
			 Kingston Hospital  
			 North East London Mental Health 368 
			 Oxleas 314 
			 South London and Maudsley 1160 
			 South West London and St George's Mental Health 539 
			 The Hillingdon Hospital 106 
			 University College London Hospital  
			 West London Mental Health 728 
			   
			 South East 3,737 
			   
			 Berkshire Healthcare 411 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals  
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health 196 
			 East Hampshire PCT 51 
			 East Kent and Social Care Partnership 224 
			 East Sussex County Healthcare 252 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare 135 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 84 
			 North West Surrey Mental Health Partnership 74 
			 Oxford Learning Disability 4 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals 2 
			 Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare 356 
			 Portsmouth City PCT 97 
			 South Downs Health 277 
			 Southampton University Hospitals 2 
			 Stoke Mandeville Hospital  
			 Surrey Hampshire Borders 170 
			 Surrey Oaklands 157 
			 West Hampshire 398 
			 West Kent and Social Care Trust 436 
			 West Sussex Health and Social Care 409 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Care 2 
			   
			 South West 2,397 
			   
			 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership 731 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 4 
			 Cornwall Partnership 238 
			 Devon Partnership 413 
			 Dorset Health Care 247 
			 Gloucestershire Partnership 230 
			 North Bristol 3 
			 North Dorset PCT 77 
			 Plymouth Hospitals 5 
			 Plymouth PCT 175 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals 9 
			 Salisbury Healthcare 4 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care 261 
			 Swindon and Marlborough  
		
	
	Source:
	KP90

MRSA

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have (a) successfully claimed and (b) tried to claim compensation (i) having contracted MRSA and (ii) having had a member of their family contract MRSA at an NHS hospital in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The information available is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Notification year (A) Number of successful claims made (i.e. damages paid) (B) Number of attempted claims made 
		
		
			 200001 11 19 
			 200102 21 50 
			 200203 33 91 
			 200304 30 104 
			 200405 16 109 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Column (A) shows the number of successful claims and column(B) shows the total number of attempted claims. It is not possible however, to provide a breakdown of the data into the question's categories (i) and (ii)as centrally held data do not differentiate between a patient and a member of their family claiming for negligence.
	2.The figures provided are in respect of all claims where MRSA is stated as an element of the claimit could be a cause or an injury. The contraction of the MRSA could be a non-negligent consequence of the negligent act.
	3.The number of claims are shown by notification year i.e. the financial year in which the Trust was first notified that a claim was going to be made. Because the notification date can be up to three years after the incident, the information in the table is subject to updates that might place additional claims in certain years.
	Source:
	NHS Litigation Authority

NHS Finance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cumulative break-even position as reported in the final accounts of (a) strategic health authorities, (b) primary care trusts, (c) NHS trusts and (d) other care trusts was in each of the last five years, broken down by Government Office region.

Liam Byrne: The break even cumulative position for national health service trusts for the period 200001 to 200405 is provided by Government Office region, in table one.
	
		Table 1: Cumulative position for NHS trusts 200001 to 200405 -- 000
		
			 Government Office Region 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 North East 10,773 10,705 11,478 9,559 3,279 
			 North West 35,571 35,568 17,035 -38 -23,279 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 7,996 -4,318 2,988 -18,667 -51,214 
			 East Midlands 11,429 8,228 8,413 3,210 -2,653 
			 West Midlands 1,618 1,650 -15,740 -42,748 -85,820 
			 East -5,203 -23,657 1,268 -9,168 -69,817 
			 London -32,632 -3,012 -13,433 -12,826 -92,213 
			 South East -23,453 -42,084 -58,557 -89,708 -160,376 
			 South West 2,662 -16,180 -100,355 -115,333 -115,934 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.For accounting purposes, the figures include data for the five care trusts.
	2.The figures exclude NHS Foundation Trust data in 200405.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the NHS trusts 200001 to 200405.
	The term cumulative break even does not apply to strategic health authorities (SHAs) and primary care trusts (PCTs).
	If a SHA or PCT reports a deficit position in one year, that deficit is recovered by deducting it from the resources available to them in the subsequent year, therefore their current performance represents their cumulative position.
	The final audited financial position for health authorities (HA) for the period 200001 to 200102 and for SHAs, formed in 200203, for the period 200203 to 200405, aggregated by Government office region is provided in table two.
	
		Table 2: Financial position of HAs and SHAs. -- 000
		
			 Government Office Region 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 North East 1,984 2,347 12,831 14,585 25,558 
			 North West 8,634 1,678 334 24,785 55,582 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 6,681 13,213 6,841 26,681 72,134 
			 East Midlands 3,135 9,927 13,948 11,001 23,203 
			 West Midlands 11,648 18,667 20,864 27,966 30,663 
			 East 37 20,836 10,147 26,684 19,273 
			 London 7,976 3,985 20,265 31,352 60,997 
			 South East 6,452 20,233 3,303 26,265 53,772 
			 South West 3,844 857 7,859 16,951 31,554 
		
	
	Note:
	SHAs came into existence in 200203. For 200001 and 200102 figures shown are for HAs.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the health authorities 200001 and 200102 and audited summarisation schedules of the strategic health authorities 200203 to 200405.
	The final audited financial position for PCTs for the period 200001 to 200405, aggregated by Government office region is provided in table three.
	
		Table 3: Financial positions of PCTs, 200001 to 200405 -- 000
		
			 Government Office Region 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 North East 0 352 7,191 -3,851 2,147 
			 North West 0 108 2,569 10,306 12,817 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 710 1,865 12,870 8,196 -5,427 
			 East Midlands 43 2,999 14,923 9,897 -2,338 
			 West Midlands 217 2,638 18,237 11,619 -5,216 
			 East 58 1,242 17,195 -18,153 -114,669 
			 London 220 788 10,639 -6,557 -53,502 
			 South East 310 4,232 15,494 4,091 -61,362 
			 South West 2,779 470 -6,334 -11,679 -44,842 
		
	
	Note:
	Primary Care Trusts came into existence in 200001, however Revenue Allocations were not made directly to them until 200304.
	Source:
	Audited summarisation schedules of the primary care trusts 200001 to 200405.

NHS Finance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) terms of reference, (b) powers and (c) costs are of the turnaround teams she is sending into NHS organisations in deficit.

Liam Byrne: The turnaround teams will support the national health service in identifying opportunities to deliver services with greater cost-effectiveness and to make financial savings. They will help the local NHS ensure that the NHS delivers both its key targets and financial balance.
	An initial assessment to ensure that the 63 organisations, that are forecasting the most significant deficits, have financial control and there are an agreed set of actions to restore financial balance began on 7 December.
	Following the initial assessment the teams will agree a tailored package of turnaround support with each organisation and the strategic health authority. The teams will then support the chief executive of the organisations in delivering turnaround. The type and length of engagement will be tailored to the needs of specific organisations. The chief executives will remain responsible for delivery in their organisations.
	The contract for this work was awarded in accordance with Department tendering arrangements. The amount of the contract is commercial in confidence.

NHS Interpreting Service

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthif she will ensure provision of a comprehensive 24-hour interpreting service within the national health service.

Rosie Winterton: NHS Direct provides a 24-hour telephone service and there is full 24-hour availability of interpretation for all callers to the service. Other national health service trusts and bodies provide interpreting services on a local basis, and their availability in general reflects the opening hours of the services provided.

NHS Loans

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what amount of interest is paid by NHS trusts on NHS loans;
	(2)  if she will list NHS acute trusts which borrowed money from the NHS to remain in balance in the 200405financial year; and how much interest each was charged.

Liam Byrne: No national health service organisation has the legal power to make loans to any other NHS organisation or any other body.
	As NHS trusts do not have the power to lend money to other NHS organisations, there was no interest charged in respect of borrowings from the NHS.
	However, strategic health authorities (SHAs) can provide planned financial support. The recovery of this support is managed locally by the SHAs.
	The following table shows the planned support required by NHS trusts to achieve financial balance or better in 200405.
	
		NHS trusts requiring planned support in 200405 to achieve financial balance -- 000
		
			  200405 
			  Surplus/(deficit) Planned support 
		
		
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 13,581 26,377 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 2,402 20,026 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust 1,580 18,700 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 293 13,972 
			 Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust 61 13,000 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust 9 12,000 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 0 11,200 
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust 87 9,700 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 178 8,800 
			 North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 84 7,931 
			 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust 262 6,540 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust 66 6,500 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust 89 6,322 
			 East Cheshire NHS Trust 24 6,000 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 1,998 6,000 
			 Rob Jones and A Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 0 5,581 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust 12 5,400 
			 Wirral Hospital NHS Trust 25 5,400 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 2 5,000 
			 Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 588 4,600 
			 West Yorkshire Ambulance Service Trust 20 4,127 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey MH NHS Trust 849 4,100 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 156 3,970 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 13 3,829 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 1,398 3,500 
			 Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust 7 3,200 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust 192 3,000 
			 Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust 943 2,900 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 151 2,700 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 76 2,678 
			 Royal Liverpool Broadgreen University Hospital Trust 0 2,643 
			 Tees East and North Yorkshre Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 2,600 
			 North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust 94 2,575 
			 The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 31 2,100 
			 Birmingham and Solihull MH NHS Trust 0 2,000 
			 Worthing and Southlands Hospitals Trust 51 2,000 
			 North West Surrey MH NHS Partnership Trust 7 1,614 
			 Worcestershire MH Partnership NHS Trust 243 1,450 
			 Avon and Wiltshire MHP NHS Trust 43 1,200 
			 East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust 453 1,200 
			 Five Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 38 1,153 
			 Camden and Islington MH and Social Care Trust 494 1,000 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 882 1,000 
			 Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust 116 700 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 7 568 
			 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 35 468 
			 East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust 9 273 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust 7 209 
			 Total 27,656 257,806 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures do not include NHS foundation trusts.
	Source:
	Audited NHS trust summarisation schedules 200405.

NHS Staff Costs

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what overall NHS staff costs were in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Overall national health service staff costs since 199798 to 200405
		
			  English total () 
		
		
			 200405 29,974,339,000 
			 200304 28,529,703,305 
			 200203 25,871,029,531 
			 200102 23,211,677,814 
			 200001 20,531,877,107 
			 19992000 18,708,225,971 
			 199899 17,081,105,039 
			 199798 16,098,946,558 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual Financial Returns for Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts 199798 to 200405.

NHS Trusts

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) total capital revenue expenditure and (b) capital and revenue IT expenditure was for NHS trusts in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information is given as follows. Figures do not include expenditure on the national programme for information technology funded centrally by the Department.
	
		National health service trust expenditure in England 200405
		
			  000 
		
		
			 Total capital expenditure 2,008,839 
			 Total revenue expenditure 36,033,813 
			 Total capital expenditure on information  technology (IT) 130,037 
			 Total revenue expenditure on IT (58)Not yet available 
		
	
	(58)Revenue expenditure on IT is reported through an annual national survey of NHS bodies. Collation and analysis of survey returns has not yet been finalised. The equivalent figure for 200304 was 567,017.
	Note:
	Data for NHS foundation trusts are not included in 200405.
	Source:
	Audited NHS trust summarisation schedules 200405.

NICE Guidance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total estimated cost has been of issuing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance; and how much of that figure is accounted for by the cost of issuing (a) clinical guidelines and (b) technology appraisals.

Jane Kennedy: The cost to the national health service of implementing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal guidance up to July 2005 is estimated to be 838 million. There are no data available for the cost of implementing NICE clinical guidelines.
	It is not possible to disaggregate accurately the cost of producing NICE appraisals and clinical guidelines. NICE'S total budget for 200506 is 29.3 million.

Nurses

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent nurses have been employed in the NHS in each of the last five years, broken down by region; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is shown in the table.
	The number of full-time equivalent qualified nurses has increased by 48,453 (18 per cent.) since 2000.
	
		All NHS qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, including practice nurses employed by unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)(59), in England by Government office region and strategic health authority area as at 30 September each year -- Full-time equivalent
		
			 GOR code GOR name strategic health authority SHA code 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			  England  266,987 277,334 291,285 304,892 315,440 
			 A North east total  16,702 17,326 17,853 18,374 18,995 
			  County Durham and Tees Valley Q10 7,000 7,136 7,278 7,642 7,896 
			  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Q09 9,702 10,190 10,574 10,733 11,099 
			 
			 B North west total  41,404 42,436 45,230 46,837 49,534 
			  Cheshire and Merseyside Q15 13,853 14,556 16,120 16,837 17,462 
			  Cumbria and Lancashire Q13 10,867 11,031 11,766 11,981 13,590 
			  Greater Manchester Q14 16,684 16,849 17,344 18,019 18,481 
			 
			 D Yorkshire and the Humber total  28,436 29,089 30,822 32,763 32,739 
			  North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Q11 7,172 7,251 8,094 8,381 8,706 
			  South Yorkshire Q23 8,431 8,655 9,204 9,541 9,858 
			  West Yorkshire Q12 12,833 13,183 13,523 14,840 14,175 
			 
			 E East Midlands total  20,379 21,086 21,935 22,747 23,819 
			  Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Q25 7,242 7,321 7,520 7,650 8,166 
			  Trent Q24 13,137 13,766 14,415 15,097 15,654 
			 
			 F West Midlands total  28,032 29,469 31,121 32,137 33,322 
			  Birmingham and The Black Country Q27 13,691 14,337 15,428 15,909 16,591 
			  Shropshire and Staffordshire Q26 7,247 7,825 8,102 8,376 8,438 
			  Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Q28 7,095 7,308 7,590 7,852 8,293 
			 
			 G East of England total  23,758 25,214 26,479 27,382 29,485 
			  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Q02 6,074 6,680 7,010 7,165 7,439 
			  Essex Q03 6,464 6,703 7,140 7,267 7,635 
			  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Q01 11,219 11,830 12,329 12,950 14,410 
			 
			 H London total  44,727 46,870 49,344 52,825 54,406 
			  North Central London Q05 9,366 9,991 10,052 10,796 11,106 
			  North East London Q06 7,554 8,072 8,407 9,740 9,975 
			  North West London Q04 10,889 11,944 12,857 13,120 13,375 
			  South East London Q07 9,790 9,758 10,600 11,336 11,777 
			  South West London Q08 7,129 7,105 7,428 7,833 8,173 
			 
			 J South east total  36,238 38,248 40,048 42,121 42,446 
			  Hampshire and Isle of Wight Q17 8,154 8,712 9,090 9,893 9,885 
			  Kent and Medway Q18 6,664 6,806 7,100 7,448 7,617 
			  Surrey and Sussex Q19 11,968 12,627 13,351 13,691 13,780 
			  Thames Valley Q16 9,452 10,103 10,506 11,089 11,164 
			 
			 K South west total  25,531 26,630 28,008 29,118 29,277 
			  Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Q20 11,419 11,800 12,521 13,228 13,434 
			  Dorset and Somerset Q22 5,578 5,877 6,216 6,515 6,532 
			  South West Peninsula Q21 8,535 8,953 9,272 9,375 9,311 
			  Special health authorities and other statutory bodies  1,779 966 444 588 1,419 
		
	
	(59)UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs. 20002001 data are estimated based on 2002 organisational structure.
	Sources:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census
	Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Obesity

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many weight management clinics there were in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: Figures on the number of weight management clinics in England are not available for the last five years. There are, at present, weight management clinics. Six of these are for children and seven for adults.

Pandemic Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her letter to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire dated 8 December, on pandemic influenza, what representations she has received from interested parties regarding the purchase of Relenza as an adjunct to the existing antiviral strategy; and when she expects to take a decision as to whether Relenza will be purchased.

Caroline Flint: The Department has been approached by the manufacturer of Relenza in relation to supply of that product for pandemic preparedness. There are practical issues to consider concerning use of Relenza during a pandemic, notably that the product is not licensed for prevention of influenza, it is not licensed for use in children and has to be administered via inhalation. No decision has been made on whether to stockpile Relenza, however the Department is keeping its pandemic antiviral strategy under constant review and this remains an option.

Penserver Software

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases were cleared on average per month by the NHS Pension Agency (a) before the introduction of the new penserver software, (b) after the introduction of penserver phase 1 and (c) after the introduction of pensaver phase 2.

Liam Byrne: The average monthly case clearance pre Penserver Phase 1 (April 2001 to July 2003) was 17,528 transactions per month.
	The average monthly case clearance between phase one and up to phase two implementation was 18,854 transactions per month, an increase of 7.6 per cent.
	Penserver Phase 2 went live on 3 October 2005. There is insufficient information to assess the average monthly transactions since that date.

Primary Care Trust (Resource Allocation)

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the extent to which the additional needs element of the weighted capitation formula for primary care trust (PCT) resource allocation reflects the degree of health inequality in the PCT's locality; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: When making revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) the aim is to support the objective of equal access to equal need. We believe the weighted-capitation formula is the best mechanism available to enable this objective to be met.
	The development of the formula is continuously overseen by the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA). ACRA is an independent body, made up of national health service managers, academics and general practitioners.

Primary Eye Care

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, (b) the Association of Optometrists and (c) the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians on the future of primary eye care in England.

Rosie Winterton: I met with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Association of Optometrists and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians on 27 October to discuss the ophthalmic clauses in the Health Bill and the review of General Ophthalmic Services.
	We anticipate valuable contributions from stakeholders, including the optical representative bodies, to the review of the General Ophthalmic Services. The review provides an opportunity to consider how we can build on the success of current arrangements.

Prostate Cancer

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will launch a national screening programme for prostate cancer.

Rosie Winterton: Screening and treatment techniques are not sufficiently well developed for the introduction of a national screening programme. The national screening committee is advising Government on this issue and is keeping screening for prostate cancer under review.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by her Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Jane Kennedy: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and publicised in accordance with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. This shows that the Department has appointed no former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 to public bodies.

Purified Protein Derivative

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with solicitors regarding the administration of the unlicensed Mantoux strength purified protein derivative by nurses, as stated in the Minutes of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's meeting of 14 July; what the content of these discussions was; what advice she has received as a result of these discussions; and whether this advice has been made available to the nursing and medical professions.

Jane Kennedy: The Statens Serum Insitut (SSI) Tuberculin PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) used routinely in the Mantoux test is a prescription only medicine (POM) and unlicensed. Such products may only be prescribed by an appropriate practitioner, such as a doctor or extended formulary nurse prescriber (EFNP). EFNPs can prescribe, administer (and direct others to administer) licensed and unlicensed Tuberculin PPD (and BCG vaccine) as listed in schedule 3A of the Medicines Act, 1968.
	This information was issued to the nursing and medical professions on 19 July 2005 and is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.doh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/80/17/04118017.pdf

Skipton House Refit

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2272W, on departmental assets, if she will break down the expenditure on the Skipton House refit by category listed; and if she will make a statement on the purchase of computers in Quarry House.

Liam Byrne: The breakdown of the expenditure on the Skipton House refit by category is shown in the following table.
	
		
		
			  Net current replacement cost 
		
		
			 General enhancement expenditure 3,504,096.00 
			 Blinds 26,957.00 
			 Carpets 24,165.00 
			 Signage 19,857.00 
			 Catering/servery equipment 75,183.00 
			 Total net current replacement cost 3,650,258.00 
		
	
	Source:
	The detail of the Skipton House refit asset was obtained from Strategy and Business Development, Group Business Team, Estate Services section of the Department, at Skipton House.
	The Department's policy is to refresh personal computers (PCs) on a rolling basis and the PCs in Quarry House referenced in the reply on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2272W were included in a scheduled refresh programme. PCs are replaced when they are at least three years old and unable to meet the needs of the business.

Smallpox Vaccination

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has collated on whether there is a relationship between smallpox vaccinations and ill health involving seizures.

Caroline Flint: Historical evidence of the possible adverse effects that can result from smallpox vaccination is summarised in Appendix 9 of the United Kingdom's 'Smallpox Plan (Guidelines for Smallpox Response and Management in the Post-eradication Era)' published in December 2003.
	Recent evidence of adverse effects, including evidence of seizures, has been gathered from two studies of adverse effects in those people who received smallpox vaccination under government contingency planning arrangements in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America (USA). During the 20022004, the USA's smallpox vaccination programme, 665,000 people received smallpox vaccine and eight seizures were reported amongst those in receipt of vaccine. The full report of all adverse effects was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in December 2005.
	In the UK, in a study of 232 people vaccinated, there were no seizures reported. The full account of all side effects reported was published in the journal Vaccine in July 2005.

Tuberculosis

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, columns 15789W, on tuberculosis, what steps she is taking to ensure nurses are familiar with the need for a patient group direction to administer Mantoux-strength purified protein derivative.

Jane Kennedy: The Statens Serum Insitut (SSI) Tuberculin PPD (Purified Protein Derivative) used routinely in the Mantoux test is a prescription only medicine (POM) and unlicensed. Such products may only be prescribed by an appropriate practitioner, such as a doctor or extended formulary nurse prescriber (EFNP). EFNPs can prescribe, administer (and direct others to administer) licensed and unlicensed Tuberculin PPD (and BCG vaccine) as listed in Schedule 3A of the Medicines Act, 1968.
	This information was issued to the nursing and medical professions on 19 July 2005 and is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.doh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/80/17/04118017.pdf.

Waiting Times

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) average and (b) target waiting times to see a (i) consultant psychiatrist and (ii) psychologist were in (A) Blackpool, (B) the North West and (C) England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not routinely collect information on waiting times for appointments with psychologists as waiting time targets apply to consultant-led services only.
	The maximum waiting time for a first out-patient appointment with a psychiatry consultant is 17 weeks. From the end of 2005, the target will reduce to 13 weeks. The maximum waiting time for in-patient treatment under the care of a psychiatry consultant is nine months. From the end of 2005, the target will reduce to six months.
	Information on the estimated average waiting time from general practitioner written referral to first out-patient appointment with a psychiatry consultant in Blackpool primary care trust (PCT), Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority (SHA) and England is shown in the following table. This information is not being captured at regional level. Therefore, such information for the North West is not available.
	
		Estimated average waiting time from general practitioner written referral to first out-patient appointment, September 2001 to September 2005. Commissioner based
		
			  Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks) 
			 Quarter 04 413 1317 1721 21 plus Median wait 
		
		
			 Blackpool PCT   
			 September 2002 93 44 12 1 0 3.2 
			 September 2003 89 49 4 5 0 3.3 
			 September 2004 62 46 0 1 0 3.5 
			 September 2005 18 32 15 0 0 8.2 
		
	
	
		Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
		
			 Quarter 04 413 1326 26 plus Median wait 
		
		
			 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA   
			 September 2001 683 533 139 34 4.2 
		
	
	
		Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
		
			 Quarter 04 413 1317 1721 21 plus Median wait 
		
		
			 September 2002 546 402 46 25 35 3.9 
			 September 2003 547 700 43 29 0 5.5 
			 September 2004 670 485 75 20 0 3.7 
			 September 2005 105 91 27 3 0 4.8 
		
	
	
		Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
		
			 Quarter 04 413 1326 26 plus Median wait 
		
		
			 England  
			 September 2001 14,590 11,443 2,067 579 3.9 
		
	
	
		Effective length of wait from receipt of GP written referral request to first out-patient attendance (weeks)
		
			 Quarter 04 413 1317 1721 21 plus Median wait 
		
		
			 September 2002 11,052 8,174 1,122 607 450 3.9 
			 September 2003 12,204 9,562 695 261 13 3.7 
			 September 2004 10,454 7,813 833 78 2 3.7 
			 September 2005 4,170 2,174 1,064 38 0 3.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Due to small numbers, the calculation of the median wait is prone to fluctuation at PCT and SHA level.
	2.Care should be taken when interpreting these figures.
	3.Waiting times apply to consultant-led appointments only. Services in many areas are now run by multi-disciplinary teams.
	4.PCTs came into existence from April 2002.
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08R